French army bases in northern Mali, were targeted by fire from rockets and shells on Monday. Africa News reports that Kidal, Gao, and Ménaka, had come under fire from so called ‘jihadists’. The attack, which was synchronized, was said to be an uncommon attack on foreign forces.

French army spokesman Thomas Romiguier, said, however, that only the base located near the French camp in Kidal had suffered damage. About ten shells were reported by the United Nations mission in Kidal. According to officials, there were no deaths or injuries.

The incident was reportedly claimed by the ‘Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda’.

According to Africa News, the attack on the army bases had been just one among several in the north of Africa. Barkhane forces were simultaneously targeted on Monday morning in northern Mali. France has more than 5 000 troops in the Sahel. Africa News reports that the region, despite efforts from the UN and foreign allies to control the crisis, has been witnessing violence since 2012.

Earlier this month French forces killed Bah ag Moussa, a military leader of the Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wal Muslimin, Mali’s most prominent group.

Umm Muhammed Umar