A Franco-Malian patrol from Barkhane attacked in Gao (V3)
(B2) A joint patrol of Operation Barkhane and Malian forces was the victim of an attack in Gao, a city in northern Mali, this Sunday (July 1)
A suicide vehicle
According to initial information, a car (4X4) packed with explosives exploded, around 10:45 a.m. local time (12:45 p.m. Paris), next to several French light armored vehicles on joint patrol with their Malian colleagues, in the Aljabandia district near the Gao high school. The detachment included about thirty soldiers, some of whom patrolled on foot, and three armored vehicles of the VBCI type.
A significant toll among civilians
The blast of the explosion was particularly important to the point of destroying two armored vehicles »Reports North South a Malian online newspaper. Several civilians, including children, were affected, many in this working-class neighborhood. We deplore a total of at least four dead (two killed instantly) and 24 wounded among the civilians, transported to Gao hospital.
The area was " immediately secured by the Barkhane force, supported by the Malian armed forces which were also patrolling nearby ". The Malian soldiers notably ensured the care and evacuation of injured civilians to the civilian hospital in Gao. The civilian population also participated in the relief, "in a spirit of solidarity" welcomed by the general staff of the armies.
On the side of the French soldiers, the exact balance is yet to be determined. « there is no death among french soldiers “, quickly clarified Colonel Patrick Steiger, spokesman for the French army staff, thus denying initial information that had circulated among Malians.
Four seriously injured among the soldiers
On the other hand, several Barkhane soldiers are could have been wounded. The general staff of the armies confirmed it on Sunday evening. Four of them are seriously affected, we confirmed to B2. " They were taken care of by the medical structure of the French base in Gao then transported overnight by two medical planes and joined a French military hospital. ».
The Minister of Armies Florence Parly immediately sent a message on Sunday evening to support the wounded soldiers and her condolences to the Malian population. " Our determination does not waver She added.
Today terrorism has again cowardly struck in Mali. Civilians lost their lives and French soldiers were injured. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. I wish a speedy recovery to our soldiers. Our determination does not waver.
- Florence Parly (@florence_parly) July 1, 2018
A tense context
The arrival of expected European reinforcements
This attack comes as Operation Barkhane will receive, for the first time, the reinforcement of two European countries: the United Kingdom with Chinook helicopters and the Estonians with around sixty men (read: Estonians in support of the French from Barkhane to Gao).
This is not a very good sign of stabilization in the north and center of the country. There is concern especially in the Center region, towards Mopti-Sévaré (read: The security situation in Mali: rather difficult), but also in the cities of Gao and Timbuktu which are home to Minusma or Malian garrisons that are often targeted (read: MINUSMA victim in Timbuktu of a complex terrorist attack. French people affected).
G5 Sahel HQ targeted
Two days ago, Friday (June 29), the headquarters of the G5 Sahel joint force in Sévaré (center region) was attacked, killing two Malian soldiers, as well as a civilian, and " also causing significant material damage " according to communicated Malian government official. Three attackers were also killed, bringing the total death toll to six.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) The French armies only communicate on a possible assessment once the wounded have stabilized and the families have been notified.
Read our fact sheet on Operation Barkhane
Updated three times Monday July 2 and Tuesday July 3
