Swedish troops came under fire on Monday, October 24, in an incident that took place some eight miles from Gao.
No Swedish soldiers were injured in the incident, according to the Swedish defense ministry.
The defense ministry statement said the company returned to Camp Estelle in the meantime, but did not provide information on which group could be behind the attack.
This is the second time Swedish soldiers have come under fire during the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The first one occurred in July, in the same area.
“This shows once again that the Malian forces are solving their task of disrupting the terrorist networks in eastern Mali and protecting the civilian population. Our operations are carried out in areas where violent extremists have great control and that is exactly where we are needed most,” contingent commander Christofer Lennings said.
“The right decision was made and I am proud of the actions of both soldiers and officers, the corps spirit and we as a unit have been strengthened.”
Sweden approved the deployment of up to 150 soldiers to Mali as part of the French-led mission in June last year. The Swedish contribution is stationed in the volatile Liptako region, in which several jihadist groups operate.
