It was the latest in a string of deadly attacks on the peacekeeping force tasked with bringing stability to the West African country following a coup and jihadist offensive, in what has become one of bloodiest UN missions.
The force said in a statement that air support was immediately deployed to secure the area where the attack took place 15 kilometres east of Indelimane in the northern Gao region.
The convoy of troops from Niger was traveling from Menaka to Asongo when the ambush happened this morning, the statement said.
Although there were initially thought to be troops wounded in the attack, a UN peacekeeping official said there were no injuries. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
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The official said the ambush raises to 30 the death toll for the peacekeeping operation, which was established by the UN Security Council in April 2013.
Northern Mali fell under control of Tuareg separatists and then al-Qaida-linked Islamic extremists following a military coup in 2012. A French-led intervention last year scattered the extremists, but some remain active and there have been continued bursts of violence.
UN troops are now trying to stabilize the north, and peace talks have begun between the Malian government and Tuaregs. In late June, the force comprised of 11,200 military personnel and 1,440 international police.