At least 25 civilians were killed and dozens more injured in a brutal ambush on a civilian convoy in Mali on Friday afternoon. The attack occurred on the road between Gao and Ansongo, near Kobé, approximately 30 kilometers from Gao, and is being linked to escalating security threats in the region.
According to a statement from the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA), the ambush was carried out by a group of heavily armed terrorists targeting young foreign gold miners en route to the N’Tahaka gold mine. The assailants launched the attack as the convoy was making its way along the dangerous stretch of road.
During the ensuing violent clashes, the terrorists, unable to overpower the armed escort, deliberately targeted panicked civilian passengers, setting fire to three civilian vehicles. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and has highlighted the growing vulnerability of civilians in the Gao region.
The FAMA confirmed that in addition to the fatalities, dozens were wounded in the attack, with many suffering severe injuries. The injured were immediately transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The assault comes amid rising insecurity in Mali, where armed groups such as the Islamic State in the Sahel (IS-S) regularly carry out ambushes, kidnappings, and other acts of violence.
Just two days before this deadly attack, a Malian national from the diaspora was kidnapped on the same road, further underscoring the dangers faced by both locals and foreigners traveling through the region.
Following the attack, authorities secured the area and discovered the bodies of at least 19 terrorists, alongside four wounded individuals. Several weapons and war materials were also found at the scene, which suggests that the militants were well-equipped and prepared for a prolonged assault.
The attack on the civilian convoy underscores the worsening security situation in northern Mali, where insurgent groups continue to exploit the instability, posing a significant challenge to the Malian government’s control of the region.
