Attack on Mali military post kills 53 soldiers

Fifty-three soldiers were killed Friday in a “terrorist attack” on a Mali military post in the northeast of the country, France 24 reported, quoting the government as saying.

A civilian was also killed at the outpost in Indelimane, in the Menaka region, close to the border with Niger, the country’s communication minister Yaya Sangare said on Twitter.

“The situation is under control. A search and the process of identifying the bodies is continuing,” he added, after giving the latest update on the death toll.

He said 10 survivors were found at the outpost, which suffered “significant” damage.

The Malian government earlier condemned the “terrorist attack,” saying it had left numerous dead or wounded but without giving a precise toll.

“Reinforcements have been dispatched to secure the area and hunt down the attackers,” according to a statement by the government.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Friday’s assault.

It comes a month after two assaults killed 40 soldiers near the border with Burkina Faso.