Town of Tessalit in Mali falls to French French forces have surged into another town in north Mali, taking Tessalit near the Algerian border. FRENCH forces have surged into another town in north Mali, wresting Tessalit near the Algerian border, as the conflict's first suicide bombing increased fears of terror attacks. Aicha Belco Maiga, president of the government body representing Tessalit, confirmed on Friday that her town had been retaken by French forces. A suicide bomber hit a checkpoint in another northern Mali city, Gao, killing only himself. It was the first known suicide bombing since French military forces intervened in this chaotic African nation whose northern half was ruled for 10 months by armed Islamic extremists. In the capital Bamako, far to the south, soldiers from a unit allied with the leader of last year's military coup in Mali stormed the camp of the presidential guard on Friday morning, and at least one person was killed and five were wounded, witnesses said. The incident underscores that Mali's military is in disarray and in poor shape to confront, without outside help, the well-armed Islamic extremists, many of whom have combat experience. Amadou Diallo, a doctor at the infirmary in the camp, known as Djicoroni Para Camp, said at least one person was killed and five were wounded. A young man in his 20s was hit by a bullet in the head and he died on the spot. The bullet pierced his face through his right cheekbone, and came out through his neck," Diallo said. He was totally disfigured. There are also two women who were wounded, and three children, aged 11, 17 and around 15 years old. Malian military spokesman Modibo Traore confirmed a suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint at the entrance to Gao about 6am on Friday. The bomber, who was wearing an explosive belt, was the only casualty. The bomber was on a motorcycle and blew himself up just before a Malian military checkpoint. Officials at a French military base in Gao declined to comment on the attack. Hours later, a building guarded by Malian soldiers at the scene of the attack was splattered in blood. The mangled, charred remains of the motorcycle lay in a heap nearby. The Malian soldiers said area residents had taken the man's remains away and buried them before sunset, as local Muslim custom dictates.