UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — On Sunday, five UN peacekeepers were killed in an attack against a MINUSMA convoy.
"This evening at approximately 20:45 pm, the MINUSMA camp in the Water Tower neighborhood of Gao was the target of an attack by mortars or rockets. According to preliminary reports, one blue helmet was killed and three blue helmets were grievously wounded, while more than ten members of MINUSMA including civilians were lightly wounded and have received the necessary medical care," the statement reads.
Mali has been in crisis since a 2012 coup attempt as several insurgent groups have been fighting against the Malian government in an effort to gain independence or greater autonomy for the country's northern region.
The UN mission has been present in the country since 2013.