A brutal attack struck northern Mali, near Gao, last Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 civilians in an ambush targeting a convoy of vehicles. The attack, attributed to unidentified armed men, took place about 30 kilometers from the city, in a region plagued by escalating insecurity.
A Targeted Convoy
The convoy, escorted by the Malian army, was transporting gold miners when it came under heavy attack. According to Colonel-Major Souleymane Dembélé, the army’s spokesperson, soldiers quickly intervened to evacuate the wounded and secure the area. At least 13 seriously injured individuals were transferred to a hospital in Gao for emergency medical treatment.
An Unclaimed Attack Amid a Volatile Context
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the assault. However, the region has long been a battleground for various armed factions. Among them are ISIS-affiliated militants, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) linked to al-Qaeda, as well as local rebel groups.
Residents of Gao, still reeling from the attack, have recounted the sheer brutality of the assault. One survivor, deeply shaken, described a horrifying scene with bodies scattered on the ground, making it an utterly terrifying moment for those who managed to escape.
Mali’s Ongoing Security Crisis
For over a decade, Mali has been grappling with a surge in armed violence, fueled by the rise of jihadist groups and intercommunal conflicts. In 2020, the military seized power through a coup d’état, pledging to restore stability. However, despite military efforts and past interventions from foreign allies, the security threat remains ever-present, particularly in the country’s northern regions.
The Malian authorities, already under immense pressure from repeated attacks, will need to intensify efforts to secure these volatile areas and protect civilian populations, who remain the primary victims of this persistent violence.
