A large-scale attack on a central army base in Mali last week killed at least 50 soldiers and five Russian Africa Corps paramilitaries, security and local sources told AFP Monday.
Thursday’s assault on the Dioura military camp, which was claimed by jihadists, is one of the deadliest suffered by the Malian army since the beginning of the conflict that has ravaged the west African country for more than a decade.
Some sources contacted by AFP reported a higher death toll of between 60 and 80 soldiers at the camp, which is located in the central region of Mopti.
Several dozen Malian soldiers were also taken prisoner, according to the security and local sources.
“The death toll is high. Leaving aside the wounded, I can say that we are mourning the deaths of more than 50 of our personnel, including five members of the Africa Corps,” an officer present at the scene told AFP.
Another security source in Mopti reported “more than 60 soldiers killed in the attack, in addition to around 60 others taken prisoner”. Meanwhile a local official contacted by AFP said “at least 80 soldiers were killed and many taken prisoner”.
“The jihadists attacked the Dioura camp and returned the next day,” the local source said, adding that “the army did not send reinforcements to the site”.
