At approximately 0600 local time/ UTC on 9 January 2020, unidentified militants fired at least 15 mortar rounds toward a military base that houses members of the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in the village of Tessalit, located in the northeast Kidal region, approximately 395 km (245 mi) north of Kidal city. At least 20 people, including two civilians and 18 U.N. peacekeepers, were wounded in the attack. The nationalities of the wounded individuals in the attack are unknown at this time; Chadian, French, Malian and U.S. forces are reportedly among those stationed at the Tessalit base. No group claimed immediate responsibility for the attack.

Analyst Comment: In recent years, al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS)-affiliated militant groups have targeted MINUSMA facilities in the Kidal region and elsewhere across northern Mali with similar tactics, including rocket and mortar fire and the use of other improvised explosive devices. The last rocket attack to target MINUSMA facilities occurred in Kidal city in April 2019, during which two Chadian peacekeepers were injured.