Mali: three Malian soldiers killed in the explosion of an artisanal mine

Three Malian soldiers were killed on Sunday in the explosion of an artisanal mine as their vehicle passed by near Ménaka (northeast), the Malian army announced.

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” the Malian army wrote on its Twitter account. "

" she added. Several soldiers, whose number was not specified, were also injured. These wounded were stabilized in the facilities of the Takuba force, a unit of European special forces responsible for accompanying the Malian army in combat against the jihadists. They must then be evacuated to Gao by the UN Mission in Mali (Minusma), said the Malian army.

The Ménaka region, close to the border with Niger, is one of those vast areas that largely escape the control of a weakened central power, where jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State organization operate.

Improvised explosive devices are a weapon of choice for jihadists against Malian, French and international forces.

They also kill many civilians.

Since 2012 and the outbreak of independence and jihadist rebellions in the North, Mali has been plunged into a multifaceted turmoil that has left thousands dead, civilians and combatants, despite the support of the international community and the intervention of forces from the UN, African and French.