Mali army loses 24 soldiers in Niger border attack (BBC)

Twenty-four soldiers have been killed in an attack by militants in eastern Mali, the country’s army has said.

Another 29 were also injured during a joint operation between troops from Mali and Niger in the Gao border region.

Mali’s army said 17 “terrorists” were killed and 100 suspects were being held in Tiloa, in Niger.

It comes weeks after 54 troops were killed in another attack – one of the deadliest in the past decade. Read more