On January 2, 2023, militants from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attacked the villages of Markacoungo and Kassela, on the Bamako-Ségou highway, killing five civilians. The attack was the first by JNIM in the Bamako area in months.
| Markacoungo attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of Mali War | |
| Location | Marka Coungo, Koulikoro Region, Mali |
| Date | January 2, 2023 |
| Deaths | 5 |
| Perpetrator |  Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin |
Prelude edit
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin is an al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition of five jihadist groups that had rebelled against the Malian government in 2012, and unified in 2017.[1] Normally, the group operates in northern and eastern Mali's Tombouctou Region, Mopti Region, and Gao Region, rarely ever extending southwards towards the Malian capital of Bamako.[2] The last major attack near Bamako occurred at a police checkpoint in Zantiguila, a village in Ségou Region, in July 2022.[3]
Attack edit
Jihadists on motorcycles drove up to the town of Kassela around 9pm local time on January 2, and first attacked a toll booth.[4] Markacoungo was attacked shortly afterward by unidentified gunmen, and the attackers shot at a civil defense post manned by civilians. The Malian Ministry of Security and Civil Defense stated two firefighters and three civilians were killed.[5][6] The ministry later stated it was launching reprisal operations to find the gunmen.[7] On January 5, JNIM claimed responsibility for the attacks.[6]
References edit
- ^ "Mali: Enabling Dialogue with the Jihadist Coalition JNIM". www.crisisgroup.org. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Danger at Senegal's Gates: The Jihadist Expansion toward Southwestern Mali | Hudson". www.hudson.org. 2023-11-12. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Six people killed in rare attack near Malian capital Bamako". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Mali: Unidentified assailants kill at least six persons in two attacks along National Route 6 in Koulikoro Region late Jan. 2". Mali: Unidentified assailants kill at least six persons in two attacks along National Route 6 in Koulikoro Region late Jan. 2 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ "Gunmen Kill Five in Rare Attack Near Mali's Capital". Voice of America. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ a b AfricaNews (2023-01-05). "Mali: Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for two deadly attacks near Bamako on Monday". Africanews. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ AFP, Staff Writer With (2023-01-04). "Two Firefighters, Three Civilians Killed in Mali Attack: Ministry". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2023-11-29.