Mali headquarters of an international counterterrorism task force, G5 Sahel, were attacked on Friday in a car bomb blast, killing six people and leaving many injured, according to officials. “Shortly after Friday prayers, a suicide bomber in a vehicle painted with UN colours blew up at the entrance to the G5 base in Sevare. It was a huge blast,” a military source in the G5 Sahel force told press.

“The terrorist attack that has just hit the headquarters of the G5 Sahel regional force in Sévaré, central Mali is directly directed against all those who pledge to bring peace and stability to Mali and the Sahel” –  says the Joint statement by EU top diplomat Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica.

“The European Union offers its condolences and expresses its support for the families of the victims, the Malian government and the G5 Sahel countries.As emphasized at the EU / G5 Sahel Ministerial meeting on 18 June, we reiterate with renewed determination our full support for the Joint Force of the Sahel and our commitment to support the efforts of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Chad, as well as the entire international community, for the peace, security and development of these countries and the region“, – the statement concludes.