Article Author:
Associated Press
Baba Ahmed
Bamako, Mali (AP) — Mali authorities announced a three-day lockdown on Thursday after attacks by Islamic extremist groups killed dozens over the weekend. of soldiers and police officers across the volatile West African country who have declared national mourning.
In deadliest violence, the Malian military said 42 soldiers were killed in Sunday's attack in the northern region of Gao. The attack was carried out by Islamic militants using drones, artillery and booby-trapped vehicles, according to a statement.
Five police officers were killed in the south of the country when they attacked the station. His three other police officers remain missing after the attack on the Sona border police station, said Soulaimane Traore, the head of the national police.
Militants affiliated with the Al Qaeda-affiliated group known as JNIM claimed responsibility the next day.
Mali and his international partners have been fighting militants for nearly a decade, but the situation has changed after France began withdrawing troops following a series of disputes with the Malian government. showing signs of deterioration.
In 2013 France led a military operation to oust Islamist militants from power in a major city in northern Mali. However, these elements eventually regrouped and began carrying out attacks to the south against troops and UN peacekeepers.
The French withdrawal plan came after his two coups, in 2020 and his nine months in 2021, were carried out by the junta led by Col. Observers fear that the chaos has created yet another power vacuum for extremists to carry out more. attack.
