Islamist insurgency in the Sahel

Gunmen attacked a military police base early Tuesday in the Malian capital Bamako where gunfire and explosions were heard and the airport was closed, sources said.

"This morning armed men attacked at least one military police base in Bamako. They have not been formally identified," a police source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all governed by military juntas, have agreed to establish a joint security force, according to a report by Reuters.