Seven deaths reported from drone attack in Mali

RABAT, Nov 15 (KUNA) -- Hundreds of residents fled the Loulouni town, Sikasso region, southern Mali on Friday evening following a drone attack and clashes among local armed groups.
The drone attack bears the hallmarks of 'Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin' (the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims or JNIM) - an affiliate of al-Qaeda organization, local media in reported on Saturday.
The attack left at least seven deaths and forced residents to flee toward safer areas. This escalation comes as the armed group continued to impose a siege on the capital, Bamako, for nearly two months. Meanwhile, Mali has begun trials for a number of officers and soldiers who were arrested in recent weeks on charges related to attempts to destabilize the country. (end) mry.ahs