UN chief deeply concerned by reports of attacks in Mali: Spokesperson

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was deeply concerned by reports of attacks across Mali and strongly condemned the acts of violence, his spokesperson said Saturday.

The UN chief expresses solidarity with the Malian people, stressing the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General calls for coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs. He reiterates his call for robust security coordination and collaboration across the region," said the statement.

Mali's transitional government said Saturday evening that armed terrorist groups launched coordinated attacks earlier in the day on several cities in the country, leaving 16 people wounded, Xinhua news agency reported.

The attacks had been brought under control by Malian defense and security forces, with several terrorists killed and the attackers' plans foiled, it added.

The attacks targeted several locations, including the garrison towns of Kati, Sevare, Gao and Kidal, as well as the capital Bamako, the government said in a statement.

The wounded, including civilians and military personnel, have been taken to medical facilities, while material damage has been limited, it said.

The attacks had been brought under control by Malian defense and security forces, with several terrorists killed and the attackers' plans foiled, it added.