The United Nations is reporting that seven people have been killed and another seven have been wounded in an machine gun attack on the UN headquarters in Timbuktu, Mali. It is unknown what group or individual is behind the attack, but Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin' (JNIM), which is Al-Qaeda's arm in Mali, has claimed responsibility. This, however, is not yet confirmed.
BREAKING: The United Nations now says seven people were killed and seven wounded in an attack on UN headquarters in Timbuktu, Mali.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 14, 2017
Mali is a country in West Africa. It is a predominantly Muslim country.
The attack began about six hours ago, but casualties were just now reported by the Associated Press and other news agencies. According to Reuters, the peacekeeping headquarters had been a frequent target of terrorists in the past.
The United Nations says gunmen have attacked a base in the Mali capital of Timbuktu
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) August 14, 2017
At least six of the dead were security guards.
#BREAKING Six security guards killed in attack on UN base in Timbuktu: UN source
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 14, 2017
Awful.
This post may be updated if additional information becomes available.