Twenty-four soldiers have been killed in an attack by militants in eastern Mali, thats according to the country’s army.
Another 29 were also injured during a joint operation between troops from Mali and Niger in the Gao border region.
Mali’s army said 17 “terrorists” were killed and 100 suspects were being held in Niger.
Mali has suffered violence since 2012 when Islamist militants exploited a Tuareg separatist uprising, seizing several key cities.
Details of Monday’s attack are still unclear, and authorities have not identified what group the assailants belonged to.
