United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has condemned "acts of violence" in Mali after terrorists and Tuareg separatists claimed attacks against the army across the country.
"The Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali," his spokesman said in a statement on Saturday.
"The Secretary-General calls for coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs," spokesman Stephane Dujarric added.
An Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group said it had joined forces with separatists to launch what was one of the most complex attacks in years in the West African country.
The groups launched surprise dawn attacks around the capital Bamako and other regions, and Tuareg-led separatists claimed that they had seized the northern city of Kidal.
Guterres "strongly condemns these acts of violence, expresses solidarity with the Malian people and stresses the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," the statement added.
‘Terrorists being tracked down’
He called for "robust security coordination and collaboration across the region."
Mali’s government said the army has brought the situation under control after the coordinated terrorist attacks on the garrison towns of Kati, Sévaré, Gao, Kidal and the outskirts of the capital Bamako, describing the raids as ‘‘cowardly’’.
At least 16 people, including civilians and military personnel, were wounded, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, General Issa Ousmane Coulibaly, who is also the government spokesperson, said on state TV on Saturday night.
"Thanks to the promptness, professionalism and determination of the Malian armed and security forces, these offensives have been contained,’’ he said.
‘‘All measures are under way to track down and bring to justice the perpetrators, accomplices and sponsors of these ignoble acts," he added.
Since 2012 Mali has grappled with a security crisis, with attacks by terrorists, criminal groups and separatists killing thousands and displacing tens of thousands more.
