Kobé attack
On February 7, 2025, jihadists suspected to be from the Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISGS) attacked a civilian convoy being escorted by Malian and Wagner Group soldiers near Kobé, Mali, in between Gao and Ansongo. At least 20 Malian soldiers were killed or injured along with a similar number of militants, and 34 civilians were killed during the attack. BackgroundSoutheastern Mali, particularly Ménaka Region and Gao Region along the Nigerien and Burkinabe borders, has been a hub of activity from the Islamic State since 2017.[1] In 2022, the group launched an offensive targeting Malian and allied forces in the region, leading to ISGS seizing all of Menaka region except for the namesake capital city.[2] Both Gao and Ansongo are located in Gao region just west of Menaka, and ISGS has tried to gain a foothold in the area in recent years.[3] Malian and Wagner soldiers have engaged in battle with ISGS militants along the Gao-Ansongo highway before, with the militants often imposing taxes on travelers.[4] AttackOn February 7, a convoy left the city of Gao and set off for Ansongo. According to Human Rights Watch, the convoy contained 19 civilian vehicles carrying more than a hundred civilians, escorted by five military vans and several motorcycles carrying Malian troops and allied Wagner Group forces.[4] Both AFP and RFI reported that the convoy contained 22 minibuses, six large buses, and eight trucks escorted by ten military vehicles.[5] The civilians were mostly gold miners of foreign nationalities, who were trying to reach a site near the Intahaka gold mine along the border with Niger.[6] Witnesses said that the gunshots from the attackers were sudden, and several survivors jumped off the caravan and played dead to survive.[4] No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but ISGS is active in the area.[4] AftermathThe Malian government released a statement on February 8 stating only three vehicles were hit, causing the death of 25 civilians and injury of 13 others.[4][5] Malian officials also stated "19 terrorist bodies" were found in the aftermath of the attack.[4] On February 8 and 9, AFP and RFI reported that at least 30 people were killed in the attack.[5][6] On February 24, RFI reported that at least 20 Malian soldiers had been killed or injured in the attack.[5] Human Rights Watch reported that 34 civilians, including 13 Malians and 21 foreigners, were killed in the attack.[4] 34 others were injured per HRW, including 20 Malians and 14 foreigners, mostly from Niger.[4] Following the attack, transporters in Gao region went on strike to demand an end to army escorts and an increase in army checkpoints along the Gao-Ansongo highway.[7] References
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
