Jihadists attack army base in Mali, kill 11 soldiers

Mali has been hit by the spike in hostilities fuelled by Islamist militants seeking to extend their influence. (Courtesy)

Gunmen attacked a Malian army base in a dawn raid late Sunday, killing 11 soldiers and burning the camp in west-central Mali, the army and a local lawmaker said.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Central Mali has in the past few years been overrun by jihadists with links to al Qaeda.