Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attack on Malian forces
On May 2, 2017, Malian forces were ambushed by Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin fighters near Dogofry, Mali.
Background
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) was formed in early 2017 as a coalition of five jihadist groups that rebelled against the Malian government in 2012.[1] The attack in Dogofry was the first notable attack of JNIM in western Mali, following earlier attacks in Boulikessi and Gourma-Rharous in the east.[2]
Ambush
The ambush began around 1pm against a Malian convoy travelling between Nampala and Dogofry, Mali.[3] Malian soldiers from the Balazan combined arms group, based in Nara, hit a mine placed by the jihadists on the road, at which point the jihadists opened fire on the convoy.[4] Following the ambush, the jihadists retreated towards the Wagadou forest.[5] The attack was not initially claimed, but suspected to have been perpetrated by JNIM.[6]
Aftermath
AFP initially announced the deaths of eight Malian soldiers and four wounded.[3] On the evening of May 2, Abdel Karim Konate, the Malian Minister of Commerce and a government spokesman, announced that nine soldiers were killed and five were injured.[4] One vehicle was destroyed and another was captured.[7] JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack on May 3, and claimed the deaths and injuries of at least twenty Malian soldiers, while suffering no losses themselves.[8]
References
