November 10, 2023
2 mins read

UN Convoy Attacked in Mali, 2 Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Injured

The convoy on a 350-km, seven-day trip from a base at Kidal to Gao was hit by improvised explosive devices (IED) along the way injuring a total of 37 peacekeepers…writes Arul Louis

Two Bangladeshi peacekeepers were injured in attacks on a convoy of the UN mission in Mali that is in the process of withdrawing from the West African nation, according to a spokesperson.

The convoy on a 350-km, seven-day trip from a base at Kidal to Gao was hit by improvised explosive devices (IED) along the way injuring a total of 37 peacekeepers, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Wednesday.

He said that the injured have been discharged after medical treatment or are in stable condition, adding that the convoy faced danger because they lacked air support as the Malian authorities refused to give flight clearance.

The military government in Mali ordered the withdrawal of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the Security Council terminated it in June and set a December 31 deadline for it to completely pull out of the country where it had to dismantle its 13 bases.

As the security situation deteriorated in Mali, the UN speeded up the withdrawal.

Dujarric said that during the withdrawal “whatever assets we were able to take we took, others that we were not able to take that could cause a danger were destroyed or disabled”.

There were 848 peacekeepers from five countries, including Nepal, travelling in 143 vehicles that left Kidai on October 31 and reached their destination on Tuesday night, he said.

MINUSMA had a total of over 11,500 UN personnel, of them 10,116 were peacekeepers, including 1,657 from Bangladesh and 181 from Nepal.

Kaba said that 27 Guineans, six Chadians and Egyptians were among those injured during the latest IED attacks that targeted the convoy.

it was the second deadliest peacekeeping operation: 310 peacekeepers have died in the mission, 18 from Bangladesh, according to UN data.

MINUSMA was created by the Security Council in 2013 following a coup in 2012 and rising Islamist and ethnic insurgencies in the nation in the former French colony.

The mission was charged with supporting the political process for a transition to civilian rule and helping contain the insurgencies.

In the uneasy transition to civilian rule Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was elected president in 2013.

But Mali regressed last year when a coup led by a colonel, Assimi Goita, ousted Keita in 2020 and Goita declared himself the president the next year.

Goita ordered MINUSMA out of Mali in June and the Security Council complied.

The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been operating in Mali at the request of it government and its personnel were reported to be active despite the organisation’s dissolution under the orders of President Vladimir Putin after its leader was involved in a failed armed rebellion.

ALSO READ: Afghan Repatriation Begins From Torkham

Previous Story

India Says Bangladesh Elections Their Internal Matter

Next Story

Endgame Nearing in Ukraine

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan FM Due in Bangladesh

During his visit Dar will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain and also call on Muhammad Yunus…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

Balochistan: Where the State Makes People Disappear

The victims include students, journalists, and peaceful protesters, many of whom were abducted from cities such as Karachi and Islamabad….reports Asian Lite News A human rights organisation on Monday revealed that 785

Monsoon Havoc in Pakistan

Since June 26, torrential rains have killed at least 299 people—including 140 children—and injured 715 in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have devastated Pakistan, killing at least

Bangladesh’s Dark Turn

With the Awami League outlawed and absent from the electoral fray, a vacuum has emerged — one that has not necessarily been filled with stability….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s political landscape has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India opens Bangladesh Youth Delegation Corner

BYD is a flagship programme conducted under the International Youth

Bangladesh sees spike in dengue deaths

While 20 deaths were reported so far in November, there