BAMAKO, Mali
At least 32 people have been killed in a gun attack attributed to jihadists in northern Mali, targeting a convoy that was escorted by soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries.
The attack occurred on Friday near the town of Gao, an area frequently affected by violent assaults.
According to a statement from the Mali General Staff, a group of armed terrorists ambushed the convoy, targeting both civilians and military personnel.
The attack resulted in the deaths of 25 civilians and left 13 others injured, including foreign miners traveling to a gold mine in the region.
Mali’s armed forces have launched a pursuit of the perpetrators, and during subsequent operations, they discovered 19 jihadist bodies and seized weapons.
Officials and sources from humanitarian organizations confirmed that the assault was organized by jihadists who have ramped up their activity in the area.
A survivor described how the attackers opened fire from two sides of the convoy, while soldiers and police attempted to respond.
In recent months, the Ansongo-Gao route has become a hotspot for repeated jihadist attacks targeting both military forces and civilians.
Earlier in January, Mali’s army announced the capture of a senior Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) leader.
Mali has been in crisis since 2012, with jihadist group violence escalating.
After military coups in 2020 and 2021, the government severed ties with France and turned to Russia for military support.
However, the worsening security situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the regime’s new alliances, as jihadist attacks continue unabated.
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