Dakar: A suspected jihadist attack targeting a convoy escorted by Malian soldiers and Russia's Wagner mercenaries has left at least 32 people dead in northern Mali. The attack, which occurred on Friday, took place between the northern cities of Gao and Ansongo.

Rising death toll and ambush details

Initially, the death toll was reported to be 10, but it quickly rose to 32. A hospital source in Gao confirmed, "We have more than 30 bodies from the scene." A local official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that jihadists ambushed a civilian convoy being escorted by Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries, adding, "There are civilians and soldiers among the dead."

Attack specifics and aftermath

According to a medical source, many of the wounded and deceased have been transferred to Gao, the largest city in northern Mali. A transport trade union representative provided further details, quoting a transporter who managed to escape. "The jihadists ambushed the convoy's escort and opened fire on everyone at random to cause the largest number of victims."

The convoy was comprised of 22 minibuses carrying civilians, six large buses, and eight lorries. Local sources reported that at least five lorries were destroyed by jihadists associated with the Islamic State (IS). However, IS has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack.

Local context and ongoing security concerns

The Malian army has yet to comment on the attack, but a military source stated, "We control the situation on the ground between Ansongo and Gao." The route between the two cities has been a hotspot for several attacks in recent months, often attributed to jihadists or local bandits.

Another local official shared that many of the victims were foreign nationals travelling to a gold mine in Intahaka, a major gold mining region in northern Mali. Mali is one of Africa's top gold producers, though its output has sharply declined in recent years.

Mali's ongoing security challenges

Since 2012, Mali has struggled with severe security issues stemming from violence by groups linked to Al-Qaeda and IS, as well as local criminal gangs. In January, the Malian army reported the arrest of a prominent IS leader, Abou Hach, in an operation in the Gao region. Hach, described as a "wanted terrorist," was a long-known figure to intelligence services.

Mali’s instability has been exacerbated by a series of military coups since 2012. In recent years, the country's military rulers have severed ties with France, their former colonial power, and turned towards Russia for both political and military support.

With AFP inputs