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. local time 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 neighbouring Niger.  Al-Qaeda-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.  More In: World | International | News