Two people were killed in a jihadist attack on a tourist resort outside the Malian capital on Sunday, while special forces troops freed about 20 hostages seized by the gunmen, the country's security minister said.

"It is a jihadist attack. Malian special forces intervened and about 20 hostages have been released," Salif Traore told AFP. "Unfortunately for the moment there are two dead, including a Franco-Gabonese."