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French and Malian troops came under attack on Sunday in Gao, located in the northern region of Mali, with local residents and security sources reporting that some French soldiers were wounded and another saying some were killed.

Reuters reports a local source to say a car bomb was detonated targeting a French and Malian patrol, which was then followed by gunfire.

France’s regional Barkhane force confirmed there had been an incident in Gao, but declined to give details.

“There were several wounded among the French soldiers who were in two vehicles that were completely destroyed by the explosion. They were evacuated to their base,” a local army source said.