5 Chadian peacekeepers killed in latest Mali violence

BAMAKO, Mali – The U.N. says five Chadian peacekeepers have been killed and three wounded after being attacked in northern Mali, one of the deadliest attacks on United Nations soldiers.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called it a “heinous attack” and said it would be considered a war crime under international law. The U.N. Security Council late Thursday condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” and reaffirmed that “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable.”

A statement from Ban’s spokesman said the peacekeepers’ convoy hit a roadside bomb and then came under fire from gunmen.

The attack took place Wednesday about 9 miles (15 kilometres) north of Aguelhok in the northern Kidal region. Seven other peacekeepers have been killed there so far this year.

Islamic extremists have been attacking international peacekeepers and Malian soldiers working to stabilize the north three years after a French-led military campaign ousted jihadists from power.

The Security Council expressed concern at the security situation in Mali and urged full implementation of an agreement for peace and reconciliation in the west African country.