Mali renews state of emergency after deadly attack that left 17 soldiers dead

The Malian government has declared a state of emergency, a day after an attack in the centre of the country left 17 soldiers dead and 35 wounded.

The Malian government has declared a state of emergency, a day after an attack in the centre of the country left 17 soldiers dead and 35 wounded.

Anti-government protesters gather in Gao, Mali on July 12. (Reuters)

In a statement, the government on Wednesday said a period of national mourning would begin on Thursday “in homage to the victims of the terrorist attack” in Nampala, and that the state of emergency would last “for a duration of 10 days”.

In the hours after Tuesday’s assaults two groups -- one jihadist, the other ethnic -- both claimed to have carried out the raid on the military camp.

A state of emergency had previously been in place in Mali from April this year to July 15. Until Wednesday however, it had not been renewed.