New al-Qaeda linked group claims responsibility for Mali resort attack

A new al-Qaeda linked Islamist group on Monday claimed responsibility for the Mali resort attack.

The attack occured outside the capital Bamako at a luxury resort frequented by Western expatriates, it claimed at least five lives on Sunday.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) ANTI-TERRORISM PROSECUTOR, BOUBACAR SIDIKI SAMAKE, SAYING:

“Five people died. Sadly we deplore the death of corporal Zani Kassim Traore of the National Guard. A Chinese has died, one Cameroonian, one Portuguese and of a woman from Mali. Apart from the Cameroonian, the four were killed by bullets. The Cameroonian died as a result of contusions that provoked a heart attack.”

The militants’ al-Zallaqa Media Foundation posted a statement on its Telegram channel saying that al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Mali, Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen, carried out the attack as a message to the “Crusaders” that they will never be safe in the country.

The European Union has confirmed that two out of the five people killed were working for its mission in Mali.

Security forces backed by French and United Nations troops managed to rescue around 60 residents, including 13 French citizens and several children.