A large-scale attack on a central army base in Mali last week killed at least 50 soldiers and five Russian Africa Corps paramilitaries, security and local sources told AFP Monday.

Thursday's assault on the Dioura military camp, which was claimed by terrorists, is one of the deadliest terrorist attacks suffered by the Malian army in more than a decade.

Some sources contacted by AFP reported a higher death toll of between 60 and 80 soldiers at the camp, which is located in the central region of Mopti.

Several dozen Malian soldiers were also abducted, according to the security and local sources.

Varying death toll

"The death toll is high. Leaving aside the wounded, I can say that we are mourning the deaths of more than 50 of our personnel, including five members of the Africa Corps," an officer present at the scene told AFP.

Another security source in Mopti reported "more than 60 soldiers killed in the attack, in addition to around 60 others taken prisoner".

Meanwhile a local official contacted by AFP said "at least 80 soldiers were killed and many taken prisoner."

"The terrorists attacked the Dioura camp and returned the next day," the local source said.

Mali military mounts response

Following the attack, an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group claimed "control of a Malian army barracks in the town of Dioura" on its communication channels.

Since late April, the terrorist organisation and Tuareg separatists have waged a series of attacks.

In a statement issued on Sunday regarding the situation, Mali's army reported "air-ground operations launched against the attackers in Dioura" and noted the "neutralisation" of "several terrorist operatives on motorcycles attempting to hide" in the bush southwest of town.

In mid-July, at least 50 other soldiers lost their lives in northern Mali when a coalition of Tuareg separatists and terrorists ambushed an army convoy leaving the strategic town of Anefis and heading for the city of Gao.