UN Peacekeepers Day: Five ‘blue helmets’ killed in Mali

At least five United Nations peacekeepers were killed in an ambush on the convoy of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in central Mali on Sunday. The attack occurred on the International Day of Peacekeepers, a day set aside for the global community to honour UN peacekeepers. “According to preliminary information, five […]

At least five United Nations peacekeepers were killed in an ambush on the convoy of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in central Mali on Sunday.
The attack occurred on the International Day of Peacekeepers, a day set aside for the global community to honour UN peacekeepers.
“According to preliminary information, five blue helmets (peacekeepers) were killed. Another was seriously injured,” MINUSMA said in a statement.
MINUSMA head, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, condemned the act as a “heinous act of terrorism”.
“The Mission expressed its condolences to the families of victims, as well as to the Government and people of Mali, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured peacekeeper,” the statement said.
Sunday’s attack came just two days after authorities reported that five Malian soldiers were killed and four wounded on Friday when their vehicles hit a mine in the north and then came under sustained fire.