Islamic militants attacked a military training camp in Mali's capital Tuesday, sparking a deadly gunbattle and the temporary closure of a nearby airport before troops were able to subdue the assailants, officials said. No details of casualties were immediately released.
The militants tried to infiltrate the Faladie gendarme school in Bamako, prompting a sweep by government troops who later were able to "neutralize" the attackers, army Chief of Staff Oumar Diarra said on national TV, without elaborating.
The attack caused "loss of life and material damage," a security official told The Associated Press, but didn't provide any numbers or details.
At least 15 suspects were arrested, said the official, who was inside the training camp at the time of the attack. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to reporters.
The al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack on its website Azallaq. The group said it had inflicted "major human and material losses" and set aircraft on fire. Militant groups often exaggerate their claims.
