UN Security Council condemns terrorist attacks against UN peacekeeping mission in Mali

Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" terrorist attacks on UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, while calling on the Malian government to swiftly investigate these attacks.

On Sunday, an improvised explosive device attacked the peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSMA, in south of Aguelhok, a town in the Kidal Region of eastern Mali, following a similar attack on Friday. These attacks have killed one peacekeeper and injured six others in total.

The 15-nation Council underlined that "attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law," said a press statement issued here.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and the French forces that support it," said the statement.

MINUSMA has become a frequent target of terrorist attacks in Mali. So far, the mission has lost more than 60 lives, making it the UN's deadliest active mission. In May alone, 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 grave security situation provoked by armed groups in the country.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the council also authorized MINUSMA to take all necessary means to carry out its mandate of supporting the implementation of Mali's peace agreement in a more proactive and robust manner.  Enditem

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News Agency

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