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