Suspected jihadists strike military in central Mali; 15 dead

MOPTI, Mali – A spokesman for Mali’s army says that a military base in the central party of the volatile country has come under attack.

Spokesman Col. Diarran Kone said Sunday that the attack struck a base in Dioura.

A security official who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to journalists said 15 soldiers had been killed.

No group claimed immediately responsibility for the attack, though Islamic militants are known to be increasingly active in the area. Last week seven soldiers were killed in roadside bomb attacks.

Jihadists have long been active in Mali’s north and extremist violence is on the rise in the centre of the country.