A SUICIDE bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle attacked a military camp in northern Mali, killing more than 50 people and wounding more than 100 soldiers and former fighters now trying to stabilise the region.

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, suspicion quickly fell on the Islamic extremist groups operating in the area which oppose the 2015 peace agreement that brought the parties together.

The attack marks a significant setback for efforts to achieve peace in the long-tumultuous region. The UN Security Council was expected to discuss Mali overnight.




People gather outside a hospital were injured were taken after an explosion at the Joint Operational Mechanism base in Gao, Mali. Picture: AP

People gather outside a hospital were injured were taken after an explosion at the Joint Operational Mechanism base in Gao, Mali. Picture: APSource:AP

The morning blast hit the Joint Operational Mechanism base in the city of Gao, home to Malian soldiers and hundreds of former fighters who had signed the peace agreement with the government.

Dismembered bodies could still be seen two hours after the blast.

A Malian military official, Colonel Mohamed Ould, put the death toll at more than 50, with more than 100 others wounded.

Dr Sadou Maiga at Gao’s hospital said all other hospital activities have ceased with dozens of wounded victims arriving.

“Some have died from their wounds, and others are in a very grave state,” he said. “At this point, it’s not the toll of dead and injured that interests me, it’s saving who I can.”

Witnesses said the car bearing explosives breached the camp at around 9am (8pm AEDT), just as hundreds of fighters were gathering for a meeting.





Malian troops patrol near the scene of an explosion at the Joint Operational Mechanism base in Gao, Mali. Picture: AP

Malian troops patrol near the scene of an explosion at the Joint Operational Mechanism base in Gao, Mali. Picture: APSource:AP

The suicide bomber “succeeded in tricking soldiers’ vigilance” and penetrated the camp, said an army spokesman, Colonel Diarran Kone.

The attack underscores the enormous challenges that remain in northern Mali four years after the French military led an intervention to drive the jihadists from power in the major towns across the north.

The peace agreement has proved difficult to implement and unpopular with the forces wreaking havoc in the region.

The former fighters who signed the 2015 peace deal include ethnic Tuareg secular rebels who once fought the Malian military. Now they are supposed to be forming joint patrols in the area, though the program has yet to begin.

Mali has become the world’s deadliest UN peacekeeping mission. Some 29 UN peacekeepers were killed last year in attacks blamed on jihadist armed groups, according to a Human Rights Watch report.




A military truck, right, arrives outside a hospital where injured were taken after an explosion at the Joint Operational Mechanism base in Gao, Mali. Picture: AP

A military truck, right, arrives outside a hospital where injured were taken after an explosion at the Joint Operational Mechanism base in Gao, Mali. Picture: APSource:AP

The report details how extremists are extending their reach further into central Mali, trying to implement their strict interpretation of Shariah law and pressuring families to give up their children as soldiers for the cause.

The report also denounces rising levels of banditry, a phenomenon victims say is fuelled by the slow implementation of the 2015 peace accord.

Malian Security Minister Salif Traore declined to respond to the report’s specifics but said he is well aware of security challenges throughout the region.

No comment lefties?

Typical Muzrats

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:11pm:

No comment lefties?

This is a disgusting attack.

Terrorists are worthless, murdering scumbags.

I condemn them all, unconditionally.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:47pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:11pm: No comment lefties? This is a disgusting attack. Terrorists are worthless, murdering scumbags. I condemn them all, unconditionally.

So you've changed your opinion haemorrhoid........go away.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:47pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:11pm: No comment lefties? This is a disgusting attack. Terrorists are worthless, murdering scumbags. I condemn them all, unconditionally.

Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid?

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:11pm:

No comment lefties?

are you still working out that terrorists kill? that's why they call them terrorists numb nuts. That's why they should be stopped.

That you need it explained to you is why you are an idiot.

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:50pm:

Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid?

did you put up a link with the terrorists photo perhaps?

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:50pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:47pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:11pm: No comment lefties? This is a disgusting attack. Terrorists are worthless, murdering scumbags. I condemn them all, unconditionally. Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid?

How's this?


https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/mince-meat-4839649.jpg


"A SUICIDE bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle ... "

John Smith wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:54pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:50pm: Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid? did you put up a link with the terrorists photo perhaps?

Did you need one to post the white kids photo up?

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:55pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:50pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:47pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:11pm: No comment lefties? This is a disgusting attack. Terrorists are worthless, murdering scumbags. I condemn them all, unconditionally. Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid? How's this? https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/mince-meat-4839649.jpg "A SUICIDE bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle ... "

That's interesting . Make a joke out of 50 people killed but go nuts when 5 die??? ::)

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:58pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:55pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:50pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:47pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:11pm: No comment lefties? This is a disgusting attack. Terrorists are worthless, murdering scumbags. I condemn them all, unconditionally. Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid? How's this? https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/mince-meat-4839649.jpg "A SUICIDE bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle ... " That's interesting . Make a joke out of 50 people killed but go nuts when 5 die??? ::)

That's what will be left of the terrorist.

Pretty hard to show a picture of a guy who's blown himself up in a car bomb.

But you weren't smart enough to think of that, were you Homo?

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 2:01pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:58pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:55pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:50pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:47pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:11pm: No comment lefties? This is a disgusting attack. Terrorists are worthless, murdering scumbags. I condemn them all, unconditionally. Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid? How's this? https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/mince-meat-4839649.jpg "A SUICIDE bomber in an explosives-laden vehicle ... " That's interesting . Make a joke out of 50 people killed but go nuts when 5 die??? ::) That's what will be left of the terrorist. Pretty hard to show a picture of a guy who's blown himself up in a car bomb. But you weren't smart enough to think of that, were you Homo?

So you weren't making a joke then dumbass?

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 1:56pm:

John Smith wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:54pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 1:50pm: Not going to post up any pictures like with the Canadian kid? did you put up a link with the terrorists photo perhaps? Did you need one to post the white kids photo up?

i certainly didn't go and look for it.  :D :D :D

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 2:02pm:

So you weren't making a joke then dumbass?

I thought it was fairly obvious,  the terrorist you asked for a photo off was a SUICIDE bomber ... good luck taking a photo of him after he's mince meat

John Smith wrote on Jan 31^st, 2017 at 2:12pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 31st, 2017 at 2:02pm: So you weren't making a joke then dumbass? I thought it was fairly obvious,  the terrorist you asked for a photo off was a SUICIDE bomber ... good luck taking a photo of him after he's mince meat

I said "any pictures" poo for brains. Re-read my original post? It could be wreckage.  ::)

50 huh?
These thugs who did this would have had the wrong interpretation of the Koran. Real Muzlims would never do such a thing. So, once again, Islam gets off without any blood on its collective hands.