Three Chadian soldiers were killed Friday after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive at a market in northern Mali.
Witnesses and police say the bomber targeted the soldiers in the northern city of Kidal, killing himself and the troops.
Four soldiers were also injured in the attack along with several civilians.
The suicide bombing was the third such attack in Kidal since a French-led offensive liberated the town and others in northern Mali from Islamist militants in January.
Some 4,000 French troops are fighting alongside Mali's army and regional African forces, including 2,000 soldiers from Chad.
France pulled 100 soldiers out of Mali on Monday, the first step in a phased withdrawal.
A U.N. force of up to 11,000 troops is expected to take over security while efforts are made to stabilize Mali and hold new elections.
Mali plunged into crisis last year when soldiers overthrew the government, allowing al-Qaida-linked militants to take over the north.
Witnesses and police say the bomber targeted the soldiers in the northern city of Kidal, killing himself and the troops.
Four soldiers were also injured in the attack along with several civilians.
The suicide bombing was the third such attack in Kidal since a French-led offensive liberated the town and others in northern Mali from Islamist militants in January.
Some 4,000 French troops are fighting alongside Mali's army and regional African forces, including 2,000 soldiers from Chad.
France pulled 100 soldiers out of Mali on Monday, the first step in a phased withdrawal.
A U.N. force of up to 11,000 troops is expected to take over security while efforts are made to stabilize Mali and hold new elections.
Mali plunged into crisis last year when soldiers overthrew the government, allowing al-Qaida-linked militants to take over the north.