Militants attacked a sparsely manned U.N. base in the Malian city of Timbuktu Friday, sparking a fight between them and Malian and U.N. peacekeeping forces, a United Nations representative in the West African nation said.
An unknown number of militants started the assault by driving up to the base — a former hotel — and detonating a vehicle at an entrance Friday morning, said Olivier Salgado, a spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali.
Few people — several police officers — were inside at the time, Salgado said. Malian and U.N. peacekeeping forces responded, and a fight was underway at the base late Friday morning, he said.
A police officer was injured in the explosion, Salgado said. Further information on casualties weren’t immediately available.
No claim of responsibility was immediately made.
Developing story – more to come