On October 6, 2021, al-Qaeda-allied jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) ambushed a Malian convoy in Mopti Region, killing scores of Malian soldiers. The ensuing firefight left dozens of jihadists dead.[1]

Bodio ambush
Part of Mali War
Date6 October 2021
Location
Bodio, Mopti region, Mali
Result JNIM victory
Belligerents
Mali Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin
Casualties and losses
16 killed, 10 wounded (per local officials and AFP)
9 killed (per Mali)
15 killed, 20 motorcycles captured (per Mali)

Ambush

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In the late morning of October 6, Malian vehicles passing through Bodio, a small village between Koro and Bandiagara, were ambushed by IEDs. Jihadists waiting nearby then engaged in a firefight with the stunned Malian soldiers.[2] In the following days, the Malian army claimed to have responded "vigorously" with airstrikes and further operations in the area.[2]

Later, the attack was claimed by Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin.[3]

Losses and aftermath

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On the evening of the ambush, the Malian government announced a death toll of nine soldiers.[2] However, local officials stated that sixteen soldiers were killed and ten were injured.[3][4] Malian operations after the attack killed fifteen jihadists and captured twenty motorcycles, according to Malian government officials.[2][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Malian soldiers die in jihadi attack – DW – 10/06/2021". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  2. ^ a b c d "Mali: seize soldats tués dans une embuscade près de Bandiagara". RFI (in French). 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  3. ^ a b "Mali : au moins 16 militaires tués dans le centre du pays". LEFIGARO (in French). 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  4. ^ "Several soldiers killed in central Mali attack". Several soldiers killed in central Mali attack. Retrieved 2023-01-30.