Two UN ‘blue helmets’ killed in Mali in an attack on their vehicle

Two members of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) have been killed by the explosion this Monday of an explosive device in the passage of their vehicle in the region of Kidal, in the north of the African country, as reported by the contingent itself.

The explosion took place during a patrol to search for mines in the area of Tessalit also left four ‘blue helmets’ “seriously wounded”. Since MINUSMA began its deployment, such bombs have claimed the lives of 74 military personnel.

Mali, like other Sahel countries, has recorded in recent years an increasing number of jihadist attacks by both Al Qaeda’s affiliate in the region and the Islamic State. These terrorist actions have in turn led to an increase in inter-community violence and caused the displacement of tens of thousands of people.