Terrorist attack against the hotel Le Campement near Bamako. Deaths among Europeans (V6)
(B2) The place seems heavenly. The hotel complex Le Camp, in Kangaba, 6 km from Bamako, is a ecolodge very popular with Europeans or expatriates in general. Swimming pools, sports courses, restaurants... the place is dedicated to relaxation. This Sunday (June 18) afternoon, however, the atmosphere was different. "Terrorists" burst in, not hesitating to attack and take several of the residents hostage. The Malian special anti-terrorist unit (Forsat) intervened, assisted by the French special forces of Barkhane, the Quick reaction force of EUTM Mali as elements of MINUSMA (UN).
Cinq dead... including two EU agents
In the exchange of gunfire, we note five dead (1): a Cameroonian (died of a heart attack), a Malian soldier from the National Guard and two agents from the European Union, as well as a Chinese.
A soldier from EUTM Mali and a Malian from the delegation among the victims
Aged 42, originally from Valongo, Staff Sergeant Gil Fernando Paiva Benido, had arrived in the mission on May 16 for a period of six months (until November 16). He was part of the Portuguese national contingent present in the EU training mission in Mali, made up of 10 people (six from the Army, three from the Air Force and one from the Navy). He was married and the father of two young daughters.
The other victim was a Malian woman, Malado Sidibe, who was the assistant to the head of the political section of the EU delegation in Bamako, leaving the European embassy in mourning.
59 victims since the creation of the CFSP
This brings to 59 the number of civil servants, diplomats and soldiers working for the European Union since the start of European foreign policy, according to the B2 database "memoriam"
Several injured
Several other people were injured, including Malian soldiers from FORSAT, as well as another Portuguese soldier, who was slightly injured.
A Swedish officer (lieutenant colonel) was also slightly injured. He had initially been reported missing. But the Swedish authorities have reestablished contact with him » explained the press officer of the Swedish armies, not wanting to say more, except that the man « stationed in Bamako " East " safe ". The man had taken refuge on the hill next to the camp; what the Malian journalist confirms Baba Ahmad, « he was reportedly found on the hill next to the encampment ». And it took long hours According to our information, to the helicopter in charge of SAR (search and rescue) to locate him, safe and sound.
A Frenchman is reported missing, according to the Quai d'Orsay. " Research is underway to find one of our missing compatriots ". According to our information, it could be a woman of dual nationality, French and Gabonese, who has been reported missing.
Four members of MINUSMA were also " lightly wounded as they fled; they were evacuated from the scene the very evening of the attack » specifies a communicated of MINUSMA. " All United Nations personnel safe and sound »
An attack, thwarted
The attack was carried out by two groups of men who arrived, some on motorbikes, others by car in the complex, mainly targeting the "Europeans". However, it could have caused more victims if the soldiers present on the spot, like the Malian forces, had not reacted well. Read : Terrorist attack on Le Campement, Europeans, Malians reacted well (3)
Thirty hostages freed
Several people, taken hostage, were later released by Malian and foreign forces. There were in particular: 13 French, 14 Malians, 2 Spaniards, 2 Egyptians, 1 Hungarian, 2 Dutch, 1 Italian and 1 Cameroonian, according to the Malian Ministry of Security.
A normally secure relaxation center
Hotel Le Campement is normally secure. He has, in fact, been recognized and authorized by the Training Mission in Mali as a relaxation center allowing EU and military agents, between two periods of operational activity, to take advantage of their leave and rest.
Several attackers "neutralized", other suspects arrested
Four of the attackers were also killed in the attack by security forces. And five suspects were arrested according to the Malian Minister of Security, General Salif Traoré, questioned on RFI. But a wounded terrorist was able to escape, leaving a submachine gun with six magazines and bottles with explosive substances » indicates the Malian Ministry of Security. The attack was claimed by the "Support Group for Islam and Muslims", an organization linked to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
The situation closely monitored in Brussels
The High Representative of the Union made a point of reacting quickly on twitter, from the evening: “ My thoughts [are] in Bamako where I [i] met the EU staff and our brothers from Mali at the beginning of June. We are together. I continue to closely monitor [the situation] ».
My thoughts to #Bamako where I met the staff #UE and our brothers from #Mali early June. We are together. I continue to follow closely
- Federica Mogherini (@FedericaMog) 18th June 2017
Read also: Terrorist attack in Mali. A tragic reminder of reality (Mogherini)
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, with Leonor Hubaut, in Luxembourg)
(1) And not two as initially announced, then four in an interim report.
(2) EUTM Mali soldiers have the right to carry their service weapons when they move within the framework of their activities or during their leave.
(3) The entire part on the European reaction has been placed in a separate article, rear, for the sake of readability
Updated: (19.6) corrected balance sheet, biography of the deceased, news of the missing Swedish soldier (20.6) corrected balance sheet, change of the illustration photo. (23.6) creation of a separate article on the European reaction
