NORTHERN KIDAL, Mali: A total of 22 United Nations peacekeepers have sustained injuries in northern Mali as they continue their withdrawal from the country amid escalating security challenges. The injuries were the result of two separate incidents involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) encountered by the convoy during its journey from northern Kidal to Gao. Since their departure on October 31, six incidents have occurred, injuring at least 39 peacekeepers in total.
On Saturday, the convoy faced two IEDs near the town of Anefis. It remains unclear whether these devices had been in place for an extended period or if the peacekeepers were deliberately targeted. The injured personnel were evacuated by air for medical treatment in Gao.
This recent series of incidents has taken place after Mali’s military leaders ordered the UN peacekeeping force, known as MINUSMA (UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission), to leave the country. The withdrawal, which involves nearly 15,000 peacekeepers, is expected to be completed by December 31 despite the deepening conflict in Mali.
The Kidal region, with approximately 850 peacekeepers and 150 other mission personnel, has been the third and final MINUSMA camp to be evacuated in the area. Following MINUSMA’s departure, an alliance of Tuareg-dominated armed groups claimed to have taken over the region after recently reigniting a rebellion against the state.
Established by the UN Security Council in 2013, the peacekeeping force initially played a role in restoring some stability to northern areas of Mali. However, persistent violence and increasing tensions and government restrictions have limited MINUSMA’s effectiveness since Mali aligned with Russia’s Wagner mercenary group in 2021. The Security Council decided to end the mission’s mandate on June 30.
