Their convoy became the target of new attacks using improvised explosive devices, an OHE representative said yesterday
Another 22 peacekeepers from the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA), which is in the process of withdrawing from the Sahel country, were injured at the weekend when their convoy was targeted by new attacks using improvised explosive devices, a spokesman for the international organization said on Monday. .
Members of the MINUSMA peacekeeping force left their base in Kindal (northeast) on October 31, forming a long convoy, heading in the direction of Gao. More than a week later, that convoy has yet to reach the largest city in northern Mali, some 350 kilometers from the base it left.
“On Saturday, the convoy ran into two more IEDs near the town of Anefi. 22 peacekeeping troops needed to be airlifted to Gao for medical treatment,” Stephane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesman, told accredited reporters.
With this incident, the number of attacks of this nature reached six after the convoy left Kindal. On November 1, eight bluebonnets were injured and had to be airlifted; another seven were injured on Friday.
As each such attack slows down the convoy, which is already moving in “very difficult conditions” and has not yet reached Gao, Malian authorities have allowed flights to resupply the blue-collar fighters with water and fuel, the spokesman added.
Last week, Mr Dujarric pointed out that the peacekeeping contingent had to leave Kindal “without air support, in the absence of flight permits from the Malian authorities”, which “increased the risks” in this destabilized region.
The ruling colonels in Mali demanded in June the withdrawal of the peacekeepers “without delay”, prompting the Security Council to launch an unprecedented rapid withdrawal process, which should be completed by the end of the year.
MINUSMA, in the midst of a rapidly deteriorating security situation, with various armed actors vying for control of areas (separatists, jihadists, the regular army), hastens its withdrawal – it left Kindal without waiting for army reinforcements to arrive, allowing separatists Tuareg-dominated rebels to take control of its base – angering the military regime.
Source :Skai
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