Mali: Militants fire rockets at peacekeeper camp in Timbuktu May 15

Event

Militants fired at least six rockets into the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) camp at Timbuktu Airport (TOM) on Monday, May 15. Initial reports indicate that at least six peacekeepers were wounded, four of them seriously. There was also material damage to the camp and the airport. Media sources reported that suspected individuals were seen 1 km (0.6 mi) away to the east of the airport, leading local police forces to fire at them, while French and UN peacekeeping forces patrolled the surrounding area in pursuit of the assailants.

The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a recently formed Al-Qa'ida ally.

On a separate note, four Malian International Committee of the Red Cross workers who were abducted on Sunday, May 14, in the Mopti region were released on Monday. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, although suspected jihadist groups operating in the region are believed to be responsible.

Context

The militant group also claimed responsibility for firing rockets at the MINUSMA camp at the Timbuktu Airport on May 3. At least one peacekeeper was killed and nine other wounded in the attack. JNIM was formed on March 2 and is the result of a merger between Ansar Dine (Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb [AQIM]'s Sahara division), Al-Mourabitoun, and the Macina Liberation Front. The group is led by Iyad Ag Ghali, the veteran leader of Ansar Dine.

Foreign nationals face a particularly high risk of kidnapping, especially from jihadist groups, throughout the country. Though the risk of kidnapping is significantly higher north of Mopti and along the Mauritanian border, the threat still exists in the capital Bamako as well.

Due to the presence of various armed groups, Mali's northern and central regions remain unstable despite a French-led intervention launched in 2013 that drove many extremists from their strongholds. France maintains approximately 4000 troops who are stationed throughout the Sahel. Additionally, the United Nations' ongoing presence in the country, MINUSMA, is one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions in the world.

Advice

The security environment in Mali remains complex, particularly in the north and central regions. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel. Due to the underlying terrorist and kidnapping threats prevalent in the country, all those present in Mali are advised to remain discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.