MALI: A suicide bomber explodes at a checkpoint manned by the Malian army -- the second such incident in two days

Record ID: 863060

  • Title: MALI: A suicide bomber explodes at a checkpoint manned by the Malian army -- the second such incident in two days
  • Date: 10th February 2013
  • Summary: GAO, MALI (FEBRUARY 10, 2013) (REUTERS) MALI ARMY VEHICLE ON SITE OF ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BOMBING TWO SOLDIERS LOOKING AT SITE
  • Embargoed: 25th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mali
  • City:
  • Country: Mali
  • Topics: Crime
  • Reuters ID: LVABQK5KO54YHCD25PXPEXD32IRH
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Malian troops shot at a suicide bomber who then blew up at a checkpoint at the northern city of Gao late on Saturday, the second attempted suicide attack on the same location in two days, a Malian military source and a witness said on Sunday (February 10).
    A military source stationed at the checkpoint on the road coming into Gao from Bourem to the north, told Reuters it was a suicide bombing.
    Besides the bomber who was blown apart, no other casualties were reported in the incident at the Saharan town, which was recaptured late last month by French and Malian troops who drove out al Qaeda-allied Islamist insurgents.
    Residents of Gao heard the explosion late on Saturday and a neighbour living close by the checkpoint, Abderaman Idrissa, told Reuters he found a body part outside his home.
    Another resident, Abba Ederra, said the gunbattle lasted between half an hour to an hour.

    "There was some gunfire during about 30 minutes, one hour. Then he came, he walked forward, on his own, he was armed and the soldiers fired at him because he was getting closer. And then 'Boom'!" Ederra said.
    On Friday, a suicide bomber on a motorbike blew himself up at the same checkpoint, injuring a Malian soldier.
    The incidents have raised fears of more guerrilla attacks and suicide bombings against French and African forces as they secure towns retaken from the the Islamist rebels and pursue them in the mountains of northeast Mali.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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