UN Campus Attacked In Northern Mali; 3 Killed, 20 Wounded

Suspected jihadists have attacked UN peacekeeping base in Kidal in northern Mali early Saturday morning at 4 a.m. (local time) killing three people inside the campus and injuring twenty others.

UN mission spokesman Olivier Salgado said no group has yet claimed responsibility of the attack.

Desert-based jehadists regularly launches such attacks in the former French colony and the recent was attack on Radisson Blu luxury hotel in capital Bamako on November 20 that killed 19 people and al-Qaida affiliate in the region claimed responsibility.

Head of the UN mission, Mongi Hamdi, offered condolences to the families of those killed and said such attacks will not impede their determination in supporting the people as well as in their peace process.

The mission in Mali is known as MINUSMA, which means the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and an Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation has been signed by all parties and is meant to bring peace in the country.

In 2012 most of the northern Mali was taken over by Islamist fighters having links with al-Qaida terror group. In 2013 the French-led forces had driven them out from the region. However, violence has continued since then and has also spread into the safe areas too in the South.

Analysts say the attacks are meant to disrupt peace deal signed by UN and several armed groups as well as the Mali government.