Turkey 'strongly' condemns attack on UN mission in Mali

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Wednesday "strongly" condemned a terror attack on a UN mission in the West African country of Mali which left a score of peacekeepers wounded.

"We are saddened to receive the news that 20 MINUSMA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali) peacekeepers [were] wounded in a terrorist attack on a MINUSMA base in central Mali," said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

The ministry added that "Turkey attaches great importance to peace and stability in friendly and brotherly Mali," and conveyed wishes for "a speedy recovery to the injured UN peacekeepers."

The peacekeepers near the town of Douentza came under direct and indirect fire from unknown assailants at around 7.00 a.m. local time (0700GMT), a spokesman for the UN mission announced Wednesday.

Humanitarian workers and Malian soldiers have faced repeated attacks for their fighting terrorism. Since the beginning of 2021, several peacekeepers have been killed and injured in explosions or in clashes with armed groups.