‘Blue helmet’ killed in attack on UN Mission camp in Timbuktu, Mali

A United Nations peacekeeper from Liberia was killed and nine others injured when their camp came under attack in the Malian city of Timbuktu, the UN Integrated Mission in the country, known as MINUSMA, has reported.

According to MINUSMA, eight among the injured were evacuated to capital Bamako for treatment.

“[We] condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and ignoble attack on the camp and personnel,” said MINUSMA in the news release (in French), underscoring the need to identify those responsible for the attack and to bring them to justice.

Some six mortar shells or rockets hit the camp at around 13:15 local time, yesterday, 3 May. The projectiles also caused some material damage, the full extent of which has not been established yet.

MINUSMA added that defences at the camp have been strengthened and air assets have been deployed to reconnoitre the area were the shots originated.

The UN Mission also informed that no civilian personnel were deployed at the camp.

Also in the news release, MINUSMA extended sincere condolences to the family of the peacekeeper who was killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.