DAKAR, Senegal—Mortars lit up the dawn sky when they were fired on a United Nations base in the northern Mali city of Kidal early Saturday, killing at least three people.
The attack came eight days after Islamic extremists attacked a luxury hotel further south in the capital, Bamako, in which 20 people were killed.
Two U.N. peacekeepers and a contractor were killed in the Saturday assault in Kidal that also injured 20 people, leaving four in serious condition, said Olivier Salgado, spokesman for the U.N. mission in Mali.
Guinea’s Ministry of Defense said two of its soldiers were killed.
A Kidal resident said about six shells were fired by attackers at dawn.
“The earth vibrated then I saw two flares in the air and then another one burst, which gave me the impression of being a response by the U.N.,” said Assarid Ag Cheick.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack in the country’s restless north but Islamic extremists are suspected.
“I want to reiterate that these attacks will not impede the determination of the United Nations to support the Malian people and the peace process,” said Mongi Hamdi, the head of the U.N. mission. “I express my solidarity and salute the brave men and women serving (the U.N. mission) throughout the country for their efforts to bringing lasting peace to Mali in these difficult conditions.”
