Suicide bombers blow up vehicle in front of northern Mali military camp, injuring soldiers

BAMAKO, Mali – A Malian military official says suicide bombers exploded their vehicle by a military camp in the northern city of Timbuktu, killing themselves and injuring several soldiers.

Col. Keba Sangare, zone commander in Timbuktu, said he did not know how many assailants were in the vehicle when it exploded Saturday.

The attack comes two days after separatist Tuareg rebels announced they were suspending participation in a peace accord with the government.

It is the second attack targeting security forces in northern Mali since that announcement. Kidal zone commander Mamary Camara said a grenade was thrown at a bank in Kidal on Friday, injuring two soldiers.

Northern Mali was seized by rebel groups including Tuareg separatists and Islamist extremists but they were pushed out by French and African forces earlier this year.