4 soldiers killed in Mali's north in explosion, attack

Three Malian soldiers died after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device and another soldier was killed in an attack in Mali's north today, officials said.
Three other soldiers were wounded after the army vehicle hit the explosive device about 30 kilometers west of Gao on the road to Gossi, according to a statement from the ministry of defense.
The wounded are receiving treatment in Gao, it said.
The fourth soldier died after an army vehicle came under attack today by gunmen east of Timbuktu, said resident Kamisse Dicko.
A Malian army spokesman, Col. Souleymane Dembele, confirmed that attack.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible.

Al-Qaida-linked fighters took over Mali's north in 2012 and were later driven out of strongholds, though they continue attacks.
A peace accord was signed between Tuareg separatists, armed militias and the government in June.