On June 17, 2017, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attacked Malian forces in Bintagoungou, Tombouctou Region, Mali.
Bintagoungou attack | |||||||
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Part of Mali War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
5 killed 8 injured 4 missing 8 vehicles destroyed 1 vehicle captured | 1 killed (per JNIM) |
Prelude
editJama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin formed in early 2017 as a coalition of five separate jihadist groups that rebelled against the Malian government in 2012.[1] On June 1, 2017, several weeks prior to the Bintagoungou attack, the group ambushed Malian soldiers at Tikerefinadji, killing three soldiers and injuring three more.[2]
Attack
editThe attack began around 5am local time at the Malian military base in Bintagoungou.[3] The jihadists arrived at the camp with three pick-ups, which they parked on the outskirts before walking silently by foot to the camp itself.[4] After the jihadists stabbed a sentry, the main assault began. In the fighting, the camp's ammo depot was burned, eight vehicles were burned, and one was captured.[4] Reinforcements from Goundam arrived around 8am, by which point the jihadists had already fled.[4]
Aftermath
editThe Malian army stated in a press release that same day that five soldiers were killed in the attack, eight were injured, and eight vehicles were destroyed. The injured soldiers were evacuated to Timbuktu by MINUSMA. Four other soldiers were reported missing.[4] The attack was claimed by JNIM on June 21, who stated they had only lost one fighter.[5]
References
edit
- ^ "Mali: Enabling Dialogue with the Jihadist Coalition JNIM". www.crisisgroup.org. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ "Deux soldats maliens tués dans une embuscade au Mali". Voice of America (in French). 2017-06-01. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ "Mali : cinq soldats maliens tués dans une attaque contre l'armée – Jeune Afrique". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ a b c d "Mali: au moins 5 soldats tués dans l'attaque d'un camp militaire dans le nord". RFI (in French). 2017-06-17. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ "Nosrat al-Islam wal-Mouslimin revendique plusieurs attaques et affirme disposer d'armes anti-aériennes". kibaru.ml (in French). 2017. Retrieved 2023-12-20.