Mali: Militants kill at least six government soldiers, injure 18 in Mopti region, Jan. 23-24

Event

Unidentified militants staged simultaneous assaults on government security bases in Mondoro and Boulkessy in Mali's central Mopti region Jan. 23-24. At least six soldiers were killed and another 18 wounded during the initial militant attacks and the subsequent counterattacks by Malian and French forces; government sources claim that more than 30 militants were killed during the operation to repel the attackers. An earlier assault by militants left three Malian soldiers dead on Jan. 21.

The attacks underscore the pervasive insecurity and the threat posed by militants across much of northern and central Mali.