UN Attack Helicopter Strike Rebels in Mali

This was after UN troops came under heavy attack from the Tuareg rebel forces in northern Mali.

In a statement corroborated by a rebel umbrella group joining ethnic Tuaregs, the UN peacekeepers were "compelled to use force in response to direct heavy weapons fire on (them) in Tabankort."

Its MINUSMA mission also noted that MINUSMA’s mandate authorized it to use force to protect civilians, its personnel and its property in case of attack or imminent danger.

The statement further indicated that the peacekeepers fired warning shots on the rebel vehicle that had attacked MINUSMA ground troops stationed in Tabankort, near Gao, the largest city in northern Mali.

"Despite these warning shots, the shooting continued, so and MINUSMA's attack helicopters reacted, rendering the vehicle harmless," The statement added.

The Coordination of Movements of Azawad (the Tuareg name for northern Mali) said it had been the "target of aerial bombardments by MINUSMA aviation that led to deaths and injuries.

The incident follows fighting in the area that broke out a week ago pitting Tuareg and Arab groups against other armed groups considered Bamako "loyalists" who want to be included in Algerian-brokered peace talks.

By Tom Omulo.

Source: AFP News Agency