Al-Qaeda Affiliate Attacks French Patrol in Mali

On Sunday, July 1^st, fighters for al-Qaeda’s North Africa affiliate, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) conducted an attack on French soldiers patrolling in the northern city of Gao in Mali. The patrol came under attack when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden truck into the soldiers. Two civilians were killed and over 30 wounded. The wounded included at least four French soldiers and an unspecified number of Malian soldiers and civilians.

This latest attack came days after a JNIM attack on a G5 joint base in Savare in the Mopti region of central Mali. In that attack, the group led with a suicide bombing at the gate, then followed with gunmen who fired at the guards. Three soldiers were killed with an unidentified number wounded.

These attacks are the latest examples of Mali’s deteriorating security situation. JNIM regularly conducts attacks on Malian and international forces, occasionally disguising suicide vehicles with improvised UN markings. JNIM is emboldened by the ineffectiveness of government security forces. Sunday’s attack marks the 135^th JNIM attack in Mali this year.

Numerous reports implicate the Malian government in targeting ethnic groups whose members have ties to terrorism. Many reports reveal widespread abuse and mass killings by the government in what they deem counterterrorism operations.

After each of the attacks on international forces, JNIM claimed it was sending a message to France and its allies by demonstrating the power of JNIM and the group’s intent to expel foreigners from the “land of Islam.”

Beginning in 2013, the French began an operation to repel Islamists and prevent them from building a stronghold in Mali. Among NATO allies, the French military maintains the largest presence. The U.S. supports the French, though not with combat troops. Instead, the U.S. military provides intelligence and occasional air strikes from two drone bases in neighboring Niger. The U.S. is also near completion of a third base that will be capable of supporting drones and cargo planes.

Like counterterrorism efforts in other parts of the region, international forces are attempting to build stable governments and train military forces to oppose the spread of violent jihadists. This strategy necessitates a reliance on local governments, a process often restricted by internal divisions and corruption.

Mali’s political dynamics are complex; there are high levels of corruption within the government that strain the relationship between officials and the local population. Additionally, there is often violent conflict between two key tribal groups: the Fulani and the Tuareg. Amidst these divisions, terror groups have increased their presence and expanded their ranks, exploiting the government’s weakness and inability to provide essential social services.

The European Union recently announced a $12.5 billion peace fund deal that provides funding for European countries that have ongoing military operations in Africa. Most of the funds will be split among training missions in Mali and Somalia. The EU’s goal is to improve cooperation among international forces supporting the Malian government and boost the effectiveness of their training by supplying local militaries with newer weapons and tactical equipment.

The recent spate of deadly terror attacks indicates the urgent need for stable governance and security in Mali. Despite extensive international support of these goals, the government has been unable to achieve measureable improvement. Continued government failures risk further destabilizing the region and enabling terror groups like JNIM and the Islamic State to continue operating in Mali and further expand their strongholds in Africa.