Mali: Ongoing attack at resort outside Bamako June 18 /update 1

Event

Unidentified armed men launched an attack on Le Campement Kangaba resort in Dougourakoro (approximately 10 km [6.2 mi] east of the capital city Bamako), at approximately 17:50 (local time) on Sunday, June 18. Witnesses report hearing gunshots and seeing smoke billowing over the site. As of 19:00 on Sunday, security forces, including Malian troops as well as French Barkhane forces, had reportedly sealed off the area and were preparing operations in response to the ongoing incident. An official for the United Nations MINUSMA mission has stated that there are casualties, but did not give any further details. The resort is popular among tourists and government officials. Details are still emerging; avoid the area.

Context

Mali has been under a state of emergency since November 2015, when armed men stormed the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, leaving at least 20 people dead (including 14 foreign nationals). The attack was later claimed by militant group Al-Mourabitoun, in conjunction with Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The state of emergency was most recently extended in April 2017 (in effect through October).

Advice

Individuals in the Bamako are advised to monitor the situation and to avoid the Dougourakoro area until authorities have given the all-clear. A heightened security presence is likely in and around Bamako in the coming hours and days; anticipate potential transportation delays and increased security checks.