2 peacekeepers killed in Mali, 2 Bangladeshis injured

At least two UN peacekeepers were killed and 10 others, including two Bangladesh soldiers, injured in separate incidents of attack on UN multidimensional stabilisation mission in Mali in the last one week. Media reports said two soldiers were killed and 7 others injured as a suicide bomber attacked a UN peacekeeping a patrol base in northern Mali on Saturday. A pick-up truck laden with explosives drove into the UN camp in Ber, 50 kilometres (km) east of Timbuktu, the 2nd largest city of Mali, on Saturday morning. According to UN Multidimensional Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma), the attack occurred around 11.30am local time. The dead were two soldiers from Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) serving with the UN. The incident comes after three other UN peacekeepers – two Bangladeshis, one Chadian – were injured when their vehicles drove over mines in separate incidents last week. Acting director of Minusma David Gressly said his force was ‘paying too heavy a price in Mali given that the peacekeepers are stationed in the country precisely to ensure a return to peace and stability’. Peace talks aimed at drawing up a road map for peace between the Malian government and Tuareg separatist rebels are due to resume in September, report agencies.