September 2023 Mali attacks

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September 2023 Mali attacks
Part of the Mali War and the Islamist insurgency in the Sahel
Date7 & 8 September 2023
Location
Banikane, Bamba, and Gao
Result Islamist militant victory
Belligerents
 Mali Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin
Casualties and losses
At least 15 dead ~ 50 dead
Civilians: at least 49 to 154 dead

On 7 September 2023, at least 49

Islamist militants attacked a military camp and the vessel Timbuktu in Mali.[1] Militants reportedly attacked the boat as it was traveling on the Niger River from the town of Gao to Mopti and also attacked an army camp in the Bourem Cercle in the Gao Region.[2] Another attack on the 8th targeted a Mali army camp and the airport in Gao. The responsibility for the attacks were claimed by Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, a group linked to al-Qaeda.[3]

Following the attacks, the 2024 Malian presidential election was postponed indefinitely by the Malian junta.[4]

Background

Since the departure of UN and French troops from Mali in 2023 and 2022 respectively, Islamist jihadist and ex-Tuareg rebels began increasing attacks against the Malian Armed Forces.[5] Since 8 August 2023, the Islamist jihadist militant group Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) began imposing a siege on the city of Timbuktu, heavily affecting the freedom of movement on roads and waterways in the area.[6] Due to the area's poor road infrastructure, the Niger river acts as an important transportation route.[7]

The Timbuktu, a boat owned by the Malian state-owned shipping company Compagnie Malienne de Navigation (COMANAV), had a capacity of 300 passengers and operated a route between Mopti and Timbuktu.[8] It had previously been attacked by rockets on 1 September, resulting in the death of a 12-year old and injuring a soldier and boat driver.[9][10]

Attacks

Attack on the Timbuktu

At around 11:00 GMT, assailants part of JNIM attacked the Timbuktu when it was on the Niger river between Abakoira and Zorghoi after it left Mopti on route to Gao.[11] JNIM launched at least three rockets aimed at the boat's engines.[7] A few Malian soldiers were on board at the time as escorts, and began exchanging fire with the attacks after the second rocket.[10] This resulted in the death of 154 people, mainly due to them being burnt to death by the boat catching fire, them drowning, or being shot during the attack.[6]

When the boat then became unable to move, Mali army officials led an evacuation effort to evacuate its passengers onto the shore.[7] The mayor of Gourma Rharous also sent lifeguards to help with the situation.[6]

According to witness testimonies, recovery efforts recovered 67 bodies by 5 PM, and then another 87, leading to a total of 154 dead. This was after they had initially counted 120 dead before finding several more that had been swept away by currents.[6] A statement by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on 11 September confirmed that among the dead were 24 children, with 9 other children receiving hospital treatment.[12]

Attack on Bamba military camp

Two hours after the attack on the Timbuktu, a separate attack was carried out on a Mali military camp east in Bamba in the Bourem Cercle. According to Radio France Internationale, the JNIM was able to take control of the base.[11][9]

Attack on Gao military camp and airport

Starting at around 7:00 GMT on 8 September, JNIM began attacks on a Malian military camp and the international airport in Gao using shells and two suicide vehicles. According to Radio France Internationale, one of the suicide vehicles managed to breach the camp and gunfire was then heard.[11] The Malian Armed Forces described it as a 'complex suicide attack'.[13] Access to Gao was subsequently blocked and the airport was temporarily closed.[14]

In response to the attack, the Bundeswehr announced that 850 German soldiers stationed nearby had been moved to protective facilities.[15]

Aftermath and impact

Several social media accounts had initially accused the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CAM) of being responsible for the September 7 attacks. The claim was denied by CAM and confirmed by Malian officials.[11]

Casualties

Following the attacks, the interim government of Mali declared three days of national mourning starting on 8 September.[7] The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization released a statement on 7 September accusing JNIM of being responsible for both attacks and released a provisional death toll of 49 civilians and 15 soldiers being killed.[6] The Malian Armed Forces also claimed to have killed around 50 JNIM soldiers.[16] However, numerous local and UN officials and witnesses reported of a higher death toll.[11]

At Gao hospital, a blood donation campaign was launched.[17]

Reactions

See also

References

  1. ^ "At least 49 civilians, 15 soldiers killed in northeast Mali attacks -interim government". Reuters. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Mali: At least 49 civilians reported dead in attack on river boat". BBC News. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  3. ISSN 0261-3077
    . Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Mali junta delays February presidential election for 'technical reasons'". France 24. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Mali: Gao military camp targeted by suicide attack". Africa News. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Mali : Les groupes islamistes armés et l'armée prennent les civils pour cible" (in French). Human Rights Watch. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d "Attack on boat, army base in Mali kills at least 49 civilians, 15 soldiers". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Mali: 49 civilians and 15 soldiers killed in two attacks on a boat and an army base". Africa News. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b Nsaibia, Héni (21 September 2023). "Fact Sheet: Attacks on Civilians Spike in Mali as Security Deteriorates Across the Sahel". ACLED. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Mali : au moins 64 morts, dont 49 civils, dans deux attaques distinctes dans le nord du pays". Le Monde.fr (in French). 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Mali: série d'attaques terroristes dans les régions de Gao et Tombouctou". RFI (in French). 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  12. ^ Tchibindat, Félicité (11 September 2023). "UNICEF calls for the protection of children affected by violence in Mali". UNICEF.
  13. ^ "Mali hit by waves of attacks that have left more than 60 dead amid spiraling insecurity". CNN. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  14. ^ Diallo, Tiemoko (9 September 2023). "Al Qaeda branch claims attack on second Mali military base". Reuters. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Mali witnesses fresh suicide attack at military base – DW – 09/08/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Au Mali, Tombouctou sous blocus depuis un mois". Le Monde.fr (in French). 8 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Le Mali en deuil après trois attaques terroristes au bilan terrible revendiquées par le Jnim". RFI (in French). 9 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  18. ^ "The Chairperson of the African Union Commission condemns the Terrorist Attacks in Mali on 07 September 2023 | African Union". au.int. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
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