Jihadists ambush convoy in Mali, leaving over 50 dead
Jihadists are suspected of leading a massacre in northern Mali. The attackers operated with the intent of causing maximum casualties, according to witnesses. The latest reports indicate more than 50 victims of this attack.
The violent incident occurred on Friday near the town of Kobe, about 30 kilometres from the city of Gao. Groups allied with ISIS and Al-Qaeda have been active in this area for decades. As a result of the attack on a convoy of vehicles, escorted by Malian soldiers and mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group, over 50 people lost their lives.
- People were jumping out of vehicles to escape. There were many civilian deaths and injuries, - said a local government representative on Saturday. - The jihadists set an ambush for a civilian convoy escorted by Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries, - added one of the local community councilors in his report for AFP.
At the hospital in Gao, it was reported that 56 bodies had been brought in. The exact number of Malian soldiers killed is still unknown.
Earlier, AFP reported, citing a local councilor, that the convoy was escorted by Malian soldiers and mercenaries from the Russian Wagner Group and was presumably attacked by jihadists.
A representative of the Malian transport union reported that one of the drivers who managed to escape said the jihadists "shot at everyone indiscriminately to ensure as many casualties as possible."
Another councilor stated that the convoy of 22 minibuses carrying civilians was secured by about ten vehicles with Malian soldiers and Wagner Group mercenaries, while the jihadists were part of ISIS.
The Malian army has not officially confirmed this information, and as of Saturday morning, ISIS had not claimed responsibility for the attack.
Since 2012, Mali has been facing a deep security crisis, fuelled in part by attacks from groups associated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as criminal gangs. According to the International Organization for Migration, thousands have already died in these attacks, and over 3.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes.
Wagner Group
The Wagner Group operates in several African countries, including the Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya, and Mozambique. They undertake military operations there to support local regimes. The Wagner Group has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations, including executions and torture.
Experts explain that the presence of Wagner operatives in Africa is related to Russia's geopolitical interests, which include access to Africa's natural resources like gold and diamonds.
