Mali: Six killed in multiple attacks

At least six people were killed last weekend in attacks in northern and southern Mali.

According to military and security sources, three soldiers, two customs officers and a civilian were killed by unidentified assailants who later made away with a car, weapons and several rounds of ammunition.

The first attack targeted a Malian army security post in Almoustarat, located about 120Km north of Gao, the capital city of the vast Gao region.

The second attack targeted a customs post on Saturday evening in the southern town of Ouélessbougou, about 80 km from the capital Bamako.

The third attack which took place on Sunday morning in the Gao region targeted Sonef and Nour transport buses.

Further reports indicate that several other people were robbed of their possessions in the course of these attacks, which have not yet been claimed.

Despite continued French troop deployments, a U.N. peacekeeping mission and years of peace talks, Mali remains beset by banditry, unrest and Islamist attacks, along with the slow implementation of the Algiers Peace Agreement.