GAO, Mali (AP) — A suicide bomber hit a checkpoint in northern Mali today, killing only himself in the first known suicide bombing since French military forces intervened in this chaotic African nation whose northern half was ruled by armed Islamic extremists.

And in the capital Bamako, far to the south, soldiers from a unit allied with the leader of last year’s military coup in Mali stormed the camp of the Red Beret presidential guard this morning, and at least one person was killed and five were wounded, witnesses said. The bloodshed underscores that Mali’s military is in disarray and in poor shape to confront, without outside help, the well-armed Islamic extremists, many of whom have combat experience.

The suicide bombing happened in the city of Gao, which was occupied by armed Islamic extremists until French-led military forces pushed them out.