Mali: Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) behind deadly attack on UN peacekeepers in Mali
Suspected Islamists have killed at least nine United Nations peacekeepers from Niger in northeastern Mali, in the deadliest attack ever on the mission, military sources say.
The UN mission did not immediately hold any armed group responsible, but a Nigerian officer from the mission said the attack had been carried out by the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), an al-Qaeda-linked militia behind numerous attacks in recent years.
“This morning, a convoy of MINUSMA peacekeepers from the Nigerian contingent was the target of a direct attack while travelling to Indelimane, in the Menaka-Asongo corridor. A provisional toll indicated nine deaths,” a statement from the UN mission said on Friday.
“This is to date the deadliest attack against the UN mission in Mali,” the statement said, adding that aircraft had been deployed to secure the area.