Kazay-Kazay ambush explained

Conflict:Kazay-Kazay ambush
Place:Kazay-Kazay, near Douentza, Mali
Date:November 20, 2016
Partof:Mali War
Result:Jihadist victory
Combatant1: Mali
Combatant2: Ansar Dine
Casualties1:5 killed
8 injured
Casualties2:None

On November 20, 2016, militants from Ansar Dine ambushed Malian soldiers near Douentza.

Background

Ansar Dine is one of several jihadist groups that has been at war with the Malian government since 2012. Around the time of the ambush, Malian elections were being held for the first time in years, and jihadist groups like Ansar Dine conducted attacks on Malian and French soldiers to intimidate civilians within their areas of influence.[1]

Ambush

The ambush occurred on the day of the municipal elections in Mali.[2] At the time of the attack, Malian soldiers from the Bambara Maoudé commune were sent to villages near Douentza Cercle to secure voting booths and ensure participation, and afterwards transport the ballots from the villages to Inadjatafane, the capital of the commune.[3] The attackers are suspected to be from southern Gao Region where Ansar Dine is active, commanded by El Mansour.

Malian security sources stated five Malian soldiers, including Captain Moussa Siaka Kone, were killed, and eight others were injured.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016-12-13 . Lessons from Mali's local elections SIPRI . 2024-01-02 . www.sipri.org . en.
  2. Web site: 2016-11-21 . Municipales au Mali: les premières tendances sur fond de violences au Nord . 2024-01-02 . RFI . fr.
  3. Web site: L'Essor . 2016-11-22 . Douentza : Embuscade meurtrière contre l’armée maliweb.net . 2024-01-02 . fr-FR.
  4. Web site: Élections municipales au Mali : cinq militaires tués dans une embuscade – Jeune Afrique . 2024-01-02 . JeuneAfrique.com . fr-FR.