At least eight UN peacekeeping troops have been killed in an attack in northern Mali, the organization confirmed on Sunday via its peacekeeping mission in the country.
Other peacekeeping troops - known as blue helmets - were injured in the attack, which was carried out by suspected Islamic fighters with a number of armed vehicles in the north-eastern town of Aguelhok.
The blue helmets all came from Chad, according to a high-ranking official. They killed a number of attackers, the UN mission said, without giving a concrete figure.
"This complex and cowardly attack shows the determination of the terrorists to spread chaos," explained Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the UN chief in Mali.
"It needs a robust, immediate and coordinated action by all military powers to stamp out the danger of terrorism in the Sahel zone," he said.
More than 100 UN troops have been killed since 2013 in Mali.
More than 100 UN troops have been killed since 2013 in Mali.
