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2nd LD Writethru: Security Council slams deadly terrorist attacks on UN mission in north Mali

Xinhua, October 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Tuesday "condemned in the strongest terms" the multiple terrorist attacks that occurred Monday against the UN mission in north Mali, which killed two peacekeepers from Chad.

Others were injured during the terrorist attacks on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Aguelhok, in the northern part of the West African country, the 15-nation council said in a statement.

"The members of the Security Council called on the government of Mali to swiftly investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice," it said.

The Security Council expressed its "deepest condolences and sympathy" to the families of the victims, as well as to the government of Chad and to MINUSMA, the statement said. "They paid tribute to the peacekeepers who risk their lives."

According to the UN, four different attacks targeting MINUSMA personnel and installations took place in Aguelhok, in northern Mali's Kidal region, earlier on Monday. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the attacks on UN peacekeepers.

In the statement issued Tuesday, the Security Council "underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law" and "reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."

The council also reiterated that "any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed."

The MINUSMA has become a frequent target of terrorist attacks in Mali. So far, the mission has lost more than 60 members, making it the deadliest active UN mission.

In May, a series of attacks directed against the mission killed 12 peacekeepers and injured many more.

In late June, the UN Security Council decided to increase the force level of MINUSMA to counter the grave security situation provoked by armed groups in the country.

The Malian government has been seeking to restore stability after a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a military coup, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical extremists. Endi