Islamist militants have launched a devastating assault on a riverboat in north-eastern Mali, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 49 innocent civilians, as reported by the interim government.
In another horrifying incident, they targeted an army camp, claiming the lives of 15 brave soldiers, while approximately 50 militants paid the price for their aggression.
In response to this heartbreaking tragedy, the government has declared three days of national mourning, acknowledging the profound grief that has befallen the nation.
Despite optimistic statements from the military regarding the influence of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries on their campaign, the ominous specter of Islamist extremism continues to loom large in Mali. The northern city of Timbuktu remains under siege since the previous month's end, and transport networks have repeatedly suffered from relentless attacks.
It is imperative to note that the latest report delivered on national television by the government could not be independently verified by the BBC, highlighting the complexities and challenges of obtaining accurate information in such tumultuous times.
The militants executed their brutal assault on the riverboat during its voyage along the River Niger, connecting the town of Gao to Mopti. This river serves as a vital transportation artery in a region where quality roads and railways are scarce commodities.
In a separate incident, these insurgents launched a ferocious attack on an army camp located within the Bourem Circle in the Gao region. The Malian military, via social media, reported that the riverboat fell victim to an attack by "armed terrorist groups" around 1100 GMT.
Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, claimed responsibility for the assault on the army camp. However, they have made no mention of their involvement in the riverboat attack. This group is just one of the many Islamist factions operating in northern Mali and its neighboring regions.
According to statements from Comanav, the boat's operator, the vessel endured a barrage of at least three rockets aimed at its engines. Consequently, the boat was incapacitated on the river, prompting the army to launch a rescue operation to evacuate passengers from the perilous situation.
It is crucial to recognize that Mali has been under the control of a military junta since 2020, a development that garnered substantial support from the public. This came about following mass protests against then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, driven by concerns over economic uncertainty, a disputed election, and a pervasive sense of insecurity.
However, subsequent data has revealed that Mali's military government has made limited headway in its efforts to combat the Islamist factions that have entrenched themselves in various parts of the country.
Notably, the authorities in Mali have ordered the withdrawal of French troops and UN peacekeepers from the nation, opting to invite Russian contractors to take their place. This decision reflects the complexity and volatility of the situation in Mali, where an insurgency with ties to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State first took root in 2012, subsequently spreading across the Sahel region, particularly affecting Burkina Faso and Niger.