Bamako - At least 40 people died in fighting between Malian
soldiers and terrorists in central Mali, the West African country
said late on Tuesday.
Government spokesperson Yaya Sangare said in a statement that 25 Mali
Armed Forces (FAMa) soldiers were killed and some 60 more were
missing after jihadists on Monday attacked army camps in Boulkessi
and Mondoro in the central Mopti region.
The army was able to "reoccupy" the camp in Boulkessi on Tuesday
evening, Sangare said in an emailed statement, adding that at least
15 terrorists were killed in the operation.
Mali's centre and north have experienced regular flare-ups of
violence and attacks in the wake of a 2012 military coup that saw
separatist rebel groups and later al-Qaeda associated militants take
control of the region.
French and African military operations, alongside the Malian army's
efforts, scattered militants and restored government control over the
area, but rebel activities and military operations continue in some
areas, despite the signing of various peace agreements.