4 UN peacekeepers, 1 Malian soldier killed in 2 attacks

BAMAKO, Mali – Four UN peacekeepers and a Malian soldier were killed and 21 others injured in two attacks on peacekeepers in Mali on Friday, UN officials said.

Suspected jihadists attacked peacekeepers carrying out on an operation with Malian defense forces in Indelimane, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Menaka near the border with Niger, on Friday morning, the officials said.

Later Friday, unknown assailants carried out an attack against a UN convoy north of Douentza in the Mopti region, the officials said.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned "the outrageous attacks" and warned that targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and lead to sanctions, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.