64 killed in Mali terror attack
64 people have died in the terrorist attack on a military base and a passenger boat in the African country of Mali. On Thursday, suspected jihadists attacked a military base and a passenger boat in the Niger River in northern Mali, killing 64 people, an official said. According to a government statement, two separate attacks targeted a Timbuktu boat on the Niger River and a military base in Bamba in the northern Gao region. 49 civilians and 15 soldiers have died in these attacks. However, it is not known how many people have died in both the places.
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64 were killed in two separate terror attacks
An organization linked to al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Earlier, Mali’s army said on social media that armed terrorist groups attacked the boat at around 1100 GMT. Separately, operator Komnav said a ship traveling on a route between riverside cities was hit by a rocket. They targeted the ship’s engine.
A Komnav official said on condition of anonymity that the vessel was located on the river. The army is evacuating the passengers from there. According to the information provided by the government sources, around 15 jawans have been martyred in the terrorist attack while a total of 64 people have lost their lives. Mali has suffered huge losses in terrorist attacks. Three days of national mourning have been declared in Mali following the deaths in the attack.
The terrorists targeted the Niger region
Clouds of black smoke are seen rising over the river in the pictures released on social media. The incident took place in a remote area. However, the photo has not been confirmed. Niger is an important transport link in a region where roads and infrastructure are very poor and there are no train facilities. The attack in Mali comes as the al-Qaeda-linked Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) announced last month that it was building a blockade of the historic crossroads city of Timbuktu in northern Mali.
Let us tell you that Mali, a poor country, has been facing insecurity since 2012. At the time, a rebellion led by ethnic Tuaregs broke out in the restive north. The jihadists worked to incite the rebels. Militants have strengthened their roots in the Sahel and coastal and West African countries. According to media reports, the militants have so far claimed large numbers of people in the Sahel, while thousands have been forced to flee to other places.