REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW YORK -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday he was deeply concerned over recent attacks directed against UN mission in Mali which "highlights the urgency of finding a political settlement" in the north of the country.

"Attacks against civilians and UN peacekeepers constitute a serious violation of international law," said a statement released by Ban's spokesperson. "This series of attacks highlights the urgency of finding a political settlement and re-establishing security in the north of Mali."

According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, seven peacekeepers were wounded when a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) vehicle struck an explosive device in Mali's Kidal region on April 23.

Since last week, attacks have killed five civilians and injured 13 civilians as well as 16 UN peacekeepers, said Dujarric.

MINUSMA was set up by UN Security Council in 2013 with the mandate to support the political process in Mali and carry out a number of security-related tasks.

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