Turkey condemns Mali terror attacks

ANKARA

Turkey condemned the terrorist attacks perpetrated against the UN mission in Mali over the past two days, Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In the statement issued Tuesday, the ministry conveyed condolences to "the families who lost their loved ones, the brotherly people of Mali and staff of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission [MINUSMA] in Mali."

At least seven people including a peacekeeper were killed in separate attacks on UN missions.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Several terror groups are active in northern Mali, where French, Malian and UN peacekeepers are conducting counter-terrorism operations.

"Turkey will continue to stand in solidarity with Mali which has become the target of terrorism in recent years and to support the efforts of the international community through the United Nations to ensure a lasting peace and stability in the country," the statement added.

Tensions erupted in Mali in 2012 following a failed coup and a Tuareg rebellion that ultimately allowed al-Qaeda-linked militant groups to take over the northern half of the country.

In 2015, a peace deal was signed between the government and some insurgent groups.

Political and community disputes continue to fuel tensions in northern Mali, thus undermining the implementation of the peace agreement.

MINUSMA was deployed in Mali in July 2013.