MS Risk Blog

Mali Security Advisory: 19 June 2017

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Mali’s security minister reported on 19 June that Malian security forces have killed four militants involved in an attack on Sunday on a luxury resort popular with Western expatriates located outside of the capital Bamako. Security Minister Salif Traore told Radio France International “this was without doubt a terrorist attack…The anti-terrorist forces arrived on the scene immediately afterwards….” Traore added that five other attack suspects have been detained. On Sunday night, the authorities reported that at least two people were killed in the attack. One of those killed was a French-Gabonese citizen. A Malian soldier was also killed. Officials have reported that 36 hostages were freed after the operation.

The attack occurred at Le Campement Kangaba in Dougourakoro, near Bamako. It comes after the US Embassy in Bamako last week warned of an increased threat of attacks in the capital city. So far no group has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack, however it comes at a time when the security situation in Mali has been deteriorating. While attacks were initially concentrated in the northern desert region, in recent months, attacks have increasingly struck the central and southern regions of the country.

MS Risk advises against all but essential travel to Bamako, as there may be further attacks and extremists may target Westerners for kidnap. Anyone currently in Bamako is advised to avoid the area due to the ongoing security threat. MS Risk advises that you seek the advice of local authorities. Major hotels in the area are likely to be under a lockdown, and you should adhere to the advice of hotel staff and security. Anyone in the capital city is advised to remain alert as further incidents in other areas frequented by foreigners may be targeted. Please be advised that a curfew and possible restrictions on bridge crossings and and routes in and around Bamako. Expect heavy security forces presence. While no intelligence is known to exist to indicate secondary attacks, it would be prudent to evaluate the local security situation and disposition of resources across the region. MS Risk is currently monitoring the situation and will release further alerts as more information becomes available.