BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A security official in Mali says that suspected Islamic extremists have attacked an army checkpoint in Timbuktu, killing at least two soldiers by slashing their throats.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to journalists, said the attack took place early Tuesday just north of the town where Islamic extremists are active.

The Malian defense ministry confirmed that the checkpoint was attacked around 3 a.m. and that there were casualties but declined to give additional details.

Residents said that authorities had made several arrests outside Timbuktu on Tuesday following the attack.

Timbuktu fell under the control of Islamic extremists in 2012 until a French-led military operation ousted them from power the following year though militants have repeatedly attacked since then.