Authorities investigate unprecedented central Mali hotel attack; 10 die in violence in north

BAMAKO, Mali – A United Nations official says authorities are combing the hotel that was the scene of the unprecedented attack in central Mali for clues about the attackers.

Mali mission spokeswoman Radhia Achouri said Monday the U.N. is helping Malian authorities to analyze clues found at the Hotel Byblos. An attack by jihadists starting Friday killed 10 soldiers and U.N. contractors. Three extremists died. Four people were rescued after hiding during the 24-hour siege.

In a separate incident, Timbuktu resident Ibrahim Ag Issa said Monday that Tuareg separatists attacked the northern Gaberi village killing 10 people over the weekend. He said he was told by his parents in Gaberi that Tuaregs retaliated after a government-allied group beheaded a separatist.

Mali's government signed a peace deal with Tuareg separatist rebels earlier this year.