Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption A fire burns in the forest surrounding the resort

Five people were killed when gunmen stormed a tourist resort in Mali on Sunday, officials say.

The EU said a Portuguese soldier and a Malian woman who worked for the bloc's mission in Mali were among the dead.

A Malian soldier and two other civilians, one Chinese and the other Gabonese, were also killed.

An al-Qaeda-linked group said it carried out the attack near the capital Bamako. Mali has been fighting a jihadist insurgency for years.

Islamist fighters are roaming the West African country's north and centre.

"It is a jihadist attack. Malian special forces intervened and hostages have been released," Mali Security Minister Salif Traore told AFP news agency after Sunday's attack.

Four assailants were killed by security forces and four others were arrested, he said.

"We have recovered the bodies of two attackers who were killed," he said, adding that they were searching for the bodies of two others.

One of them left behind a machine gun and bottles filled with "explosive substances", he said.

The ministry said another two people had been injured.

A security ministry spokesman told Reuters news agency that 32 guests had been rescued from the Le Campement Kangaba resort, east of Bamako.

Malian special forces intervened, backed by UN soldiers and troops from a French counter-terrorism force.

Image copyright Lecampement.com Image caption The eco-lodge complex near Bamako is a popular attraction

Witness Boubacar Sangare was just outside the compound as the attack unfolded.

"Westerners were fleeing the encampment while two plainclothes police exchanged fire with the assailants," he said.

"There were four national police vehicles and French soldiers in armoured vehicles on the scene."

He added that a helicopter was circling overhead.

The European Union training mission in Mali, EUTM Mali, tweeted that it was aware of the attack and was supporting Malian security forces and assessing the situation.

Earlier this month, the US embassy had warned of "possible future attacks on Western diplomatic missions, other locations in Bamako that Westerners frequent".

Image copyright Reuters Image caption French soldiers stand around a UN vehicle following the attack on Le Campement Kangaba resort

BBC correspondent Alex Duval Smith says many expats and wealthy Malians go to Kangaba at weekends, to enjoy the pools, cocktail bar, canoeing facilities and activities for children.

A spokesman for the Portuguese armed forces, Helder Antonio da Silva Perdigao, said that the location is used by soldiers in the EUTM Mali as a place to relax between operations.

He added that soldiers from several countries were there at the time of the attack.

The Portuguese soldier who died was part of the EUTM Mali, he said.

In November 2015, at least 20 people were killed when gunmen took guests and staff hostage at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.

Al-Qaeda's North African arm, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), said it was behind that siege.

Mali has been in a state of emergency since the Radisson Blu attack. It was extended for a further six months in April.

The country's security has gradually worsened since 2013, when French forces repelled allied Islamist and Tuareg rebel fighters who had seized control of much of the north.

French troops and a 10,000-strong force of UN peacekeepers have been battling to stabilise the former French colony.</s>At least two people have been killed after an attack on a popular tourist resort on the outskirts of Mali’s capital, Bamako, according to officials, but dozens of guests were rescued.

Gunmen stormed the luxury Le Campement Kangaba complex near Dougourakoro on Sunday, attacking a resort frequented by top officials and foreign residents, especially during the weekend.

Malian troops and soldiers from France’s Bakhane counter-terrorist force headed to the scene. Local residents reported hearing shots fired while smoke billowed into the air.

Mali’s Security Minister Salif Traore said late on Sunday that at least four attackers were killed by security forces.

“We have recovered the bodies of two attackers who were killed,” Traore told journalists, adding that they were “searching for the bodies of two others”, without specifying if any more were on the run.

“At first we thought they were armed bandits but we know how armed bandits operate, they don’t hold territory, so now we think it is a terrorist attack,” Traore had earlier told reporters outside the entrance to the resort, part of which was on fire.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Officials said two people had been killed, including a French-Gabonese citizen and another whose nationality was not yet known.

Two others had been wounded, one civilian and a policeman, Baba Cisse, spokesman for the security ministry, told the Reuters news agency. An attacker had also been wounded and fled, leaving a sub-machine gun and six bottles of explosives behind, he said.

Malian state TV reported that 36 guests had so far been rescued. At least 14 people, both Malians and foreigners, were wounded, according to the security ministry.

A witness told local television ORTM said he saw a man arrive on a motorcycle who “started shooting at the crowd” followed by “two or three people” who came in another vehicle.

Witness Boubacar Sangare was just outside the compound during the attack. “Westerners were fleeing the encampment while two plainclothes police exchanged fire with the assailants,” he told Reuters.

A security ministry official said government troops “have sealed off the area and are in the process of organising operations” against the attackers.

Andrea de Georgio, a freelance journalist in Bamako, said the resort is located about 10km outside the capital.

He told Al Jazeera that the attack seemed to be “well-organised”.

“The attackers are hidden inside the camp, and the camp is very big so there are a lot of places where they can hide,” de Georgio said.

Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from neighbouring Senegal, quoted sources as saying that security forces have be going door-to-door inside the resort, making sure that the fighters are apprehended or driven out.

The west African country has been battling armed rebellion for several years, with fighters roaming the north and centre of Mali.

The US embassy in Bamako had warned earlier this month “of a possible increased threat of attacks against Western diplomatic missions, places of worship, and other locations in Bamako where Westerners frequent”.

In November 2015, gunmen took guests and staff hostage at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako in a siege that left at least 20 people dead, including 14 foreigners.

That attack was claimed by al-Qaeda’s North African affiliate, the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group.

A state of emergency has been renewed several times since the Radisson Blu attack, most recently in April when it was extended for six months.

The United Nations has a 12,000-strong force in Mali known as MINUSMA, which began operations in 2013.

It has been targeted constantly by armed fighters, with dozens of peacekeepers killed, including five on Saturday.</s>Fatalities and hostages reported after armed men raided a luxury resort outside the capital, Bamako.

At least two people have been killed after gunmen stormed a popular tourist resort on the outskirts of Mali's capital, Bamako, according to officials.

Malian troops and soldiers from France's Bakhane counter-terrorist force headed to the scene after the luxury Campement de Kangaba resort in Dougourakoro, which is frequented by top officials and foreigners, came under attack on Sunday.

Security forces said 32 guests have been rescued so far.

Local residents earlier reported hearing shots fired while smoke billowed into the air.

"Unfortunately for the moment there are two dead, including a Franco-Gabonese," Security Minister Salif Traore told the AFP news agency.

READ MORE: Mali's Keita vows to keep fighting 'terrorist groups'

A security ministry official said government troops "have sealed off the area and are in the process of organising operations" against the attackers.

Andrea de Georgio, a freelance journalist in Bamako, said the resort is located about 10km outside the capital.

He told Al Jazeera that the attack seemed to be "well-organised".

"The attackers are hidden inside the camp, and the camp is very big so there are a lot of places where they can hide," de Georgio said.

Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque, reporting from neighbouring Senegal, quoted sources as saying that security forces have be gooing door-to-door inside the resort, making sure that the fighters are apprehended or driven out.

The west African country has been battling armed rebellion for several years, with fighters roaming the north and centre of Mali.

The US embassy in Bamako had warned earlier this month "of a possible increased threat of attacks against Western diplomatic missions, places of worship, and other locations in Bamako where Westerners frequent".

In November 2015, gunmen took guests and staff hostage at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako in a siege that left at least 20 people dead, including 14 foreigners.

That attack was claimed by al-Qaeda's North African affiliate, the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group.

A state of emergency has been renewed several times since the Radisson Blu attack, most recently in April when it was extended for six months.

The United Nations has a 12,000-strong force in Mali known as MINUSMA, which began operations in 2013. 

 

 It has been targeted constantly by armed fighters, with dozens of peacekeepers killed, including five on Saturday.</s>A tourist resort popular with Westerners in the Malian capital was under attack today, according to witnesses and a journalist.

Malian troops and soldiers from France's Bakhane counter-terrorist force headed to the site on the edge of Bamako, where nearby residents reported hearing shots fired while smoke billowed into the air, according to an</s>A tourist resort near Bamako, the capital of Mali, has been attacked, according to a spokesman at the country’s security ministry and witnesses.

Malian troops and soldiers from France’s Barkhane counter-terrorism force were called to Le Campement in Dougourakoro, a resort popular with westerners east of Bamako. Residents nearby reported hearing shots fired while smoke billowed into the air.

There was no information immediately available on any casualties.

“Security forces are in place. Campement Kangaba is blocked off and an operation is under way,” said a security ministry spokesman, Baba Cisse. “The situation is under control.”

The west African country has been battling a jihadi insurgency for several years, with Islamist fighters roaming the north and centre of Mali.

In November 2015, gunmen took guests and staff hostage at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako in a siege that left at least 20 people dead, including 14 foreigners.

That attack was claimed by Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

A state of emergency has been renewed several times since the Radisson Blu attack, most recently in April when it was extended for six months.

In 2012 Mali’s north fell under the control of jihadi groups linked to AQIM that hijacked an ethnic Tuareg-led rebel uprising, though the Islamists were largely ousted by a French-led military operation in January 2013.

But jihadis have mounted numerous attacks on civilians and the army, as well as on French and UN forces still stationed there.</s>[Africa], June 19 (ANI): At least two people have been killed after a tourist resort near Bamako, the capital of Mali, was attacked.

A spokesman for the country's security ministry said one of the dead was a French national but the nationality of the other person killed was not known, the Guardian reported.

The Malian troops and soldiers from France's Barkhane counter-terrorism force were called to Le Campement in Dougourakoro, a resort popular with westerners east of Bamako.

"Security forces are in place. Campement Kangaba is blocked off and an operation is under way. The situation is under control," said security ministry spokesman Baba Cisse. (ANI)</s>The UN Mission to Mali have said that gunmen are attacking a popular tourist resort east of the Malian capital, Bamako.

A spokesperson for the country's interior ministry told Reuters that a luxury spot that is known to be popular with Westerners came under attack on Sunday (18 June).

Malian and French troops are now thought to be at the site of the ongoing attack.

Residents nearby told the BBC that they heard shots coming from the resort, La Campement in Dougourakoro.

It is not yet known who the gunmen are or the number or extent of the casualities but there are reports that hostages have been taken.

AFP reported that the Malian government said that the attackers are "suspected jihadists".

This is a breaking news story and will be updated regularly as new information and developments become available.

IBTimes UK is a news organisation that keeps its global audience of 55 million monthly readers in the know with quality storytelling and analysis of global relevance. Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IBTimesUK/) and follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/IBTimesUK) where we will keep you up to date with the latest news, pictures and video as it happens. We provide comprehensive coverage of domestic and foreign news, business, sport, entertainment, science and technology, aiming to keep our intellectually curious readers interested and engaged.</s>Bamako - A tourist camp popular with Westerners in the Malian capital was under attack on Sunday, according to witnesses and an AFP journalist.

Malian troops and soldiers from France's Bakhane counter-terrorist force headed to the site on the edge of Bamako, where nearby residents reported hearing shots fired while smoke billowed into the air.

There was no information immediately available on any casualties.</s>At least two people died after gunmen attacked a popular a tourist resort in Mali, east of its Capital Bamako. Security Minister Salif Traore told AFP that the incident at luxury resort Le Campement Kangaba was a “jihadist attack” and that security forces had shot dead four assailants. The gunmen had briefly taken more than 30 hostages.

“Malian special forces intervened and hostages have been released,” Traore said, adding that the bodies of two attackers had been recovered. “Unfortunately for the moment, there are two dead, including a Franco-Gabonese.”

The Security Ministry said at least 14 people, both Malians and foreigners, were injured. According to Traore, they earlier believed armed bandits, who had arrived at the location on motorbikes, were behind the incident, but later concluded that it was a “terrorist attack”, Reuters reported. “We know how armed bandits operate. They don’t hold territory,” he explained.

Counter operations were carried out by Malian security forces, peacekeeping mission vehicles of the United Nations and French troops.

Earlier this month, the US Embassy in Bamako had warned of “possible future attacks” on places frequented by Westerners and diplomatic missions, according to the BBC.</s>Gunmen have stormed a tourist resort in Mali popular with Westerners and two people are dead, the country’s security minister has said.

“It is a jihadist attack. Malian special forces intervened and hostages have been released,” Salif Traore told AFP.

“Unfortunately for the moment there are two dead, including a Franco-Gabonese.”

Government troops battled the gunmen at the luxury resort Le Campement Kangaba, east of the capital Bamako.

According to the security ministry, “one of the terrorists was able to escape, after being injured”. He left behind a machine gun and bottles filled with “explosive substances”.

The ministry said another two people had been injured, including a civilian.

A security ministry spokesman told Reuters 32 guests had been rescued from the resort.

Malian special forces intervened, backed by UN soldiers and troops from a French counter-terrorism force.

Witness Boubacar Sangare was just outside the compound as the attack unfolded.

“Westerners were fleeing the encampment while two plainclothes police exchanged fire with the assailants,” he said.

“There were four national police vehicles and French soldiers in armoured vehicles on the scene.”

He added that a helicopter was circling overhead.

The European Union training mission in Mali, EUTMMALI, tweeted that it was aware of the attack and was supporting Malian security forces and assessing the situation.

Earlier this month, the US embassy in Bamako had warned of “possible future attacks on Western diplomatic missions, other locations in Bamako that Westerners frequent”.

BBC correspondent Alex Duval Smith says many expats and wealthy Malians go to Kangaba at weekends, to enjoy the pools, cocktail bar, canoeing facilities, and other activities for children.

Mali has been fighting a jihadist insurgency for several years, with Islamist fighters roaming the country’s north and centre.

In November 2015, at least 20 people were killed when gunmen took guests and staff hostage at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.

Al-Qaeda’s North African arm, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), said it was behind that siege.

Mali has been in a state of emergency since the Radisson Blu attack. It was extended for a further six months in April.

The country’s security has gradually worsened since 2013, when French forces repelled allied Islamist and Tuareg rebel fighters from parts of the north.

French troops and a 10,000-strong force of UN peacekeepers have been battling to stabilise the former French colony. BBC News
Gunmen storm a popular tourist resort near the Malian capital, Bamako. At least two people are reportedly killed. Malian troops and France's Operation Barkhane counter-terrorist force are at the site.