Suicide bombers launch attacks in 2 northern Malian towns; 1 soldier wounded

BAMAKO, Mali – Authorities say at least five suicide bombers have attempted attacks in northern Mali.

Four of the men entered the town of Gossi at around 4:30 a.m. Friday.

Sidi Ben Hamou, an elected official in the town, said that the bombers were carrying their explosives in water bottles.

At least one Malian soldier was wounded when three of the men blew themselves up at a checkpoint. The fourth suicide bomber was killed by soldiers while attempting to reach a military camp.

Meanwhile, another attack in the town of Menaka struck a military position for soldiers from neighboring Niger.

Al-Qaida-linked militants have launched a series of suicide attacks in northern Mali since being ousted from the region's major towns by the French-led military operation.