Jihadists Attack Passenger Boat Traveling On River In Mali

A passenger boat traveling along the Niger River in northern Mali has fallen victim to an attack reportedly carried out by suspected jihadists. The Malian army confirmed the incident, marking yet another troubling episode in the ongoing unrest in the region. At approximately 11:00 am (1100 GMT) on Thursday, an armed terrorist group launched an assault on a Comanav-operated boat navigating the Gourma-Rharous area, according to the Malian army's social media announcement. The assailants targeted the vessel, which regularly plied its trade between cities along the river, with a barrage of at least three rockets aimed at its engines, as confirmed by Comanav. As of now, there have been no reports of casualties, and authorities have yet to provide any further updates on the incident hours after their initial report. The stranded vessel now lies immobilized on the river, with the military overseeing the evacuation of passengers, revealed an anonymous Comanav official. Images circulating on social media depict a menacing cloud of black smoke billowing above the river, though the authenticity of these visuals remains unverified, given the remote location of the attack. The Niger River holds immense importance as a vital transport artery in a region plagued by inadequate road infrastructure and the absence of railways. This attack follows closely on the heels of an announcement by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an al-Qaeda-linked alliance, last month, declaring a blockade of Timbuktu, the historically significant crossroads city in northern Mali. Mali, an impoverished nation, has grappled with insecurity since 2012 when an uprising led by ethnic Tuaregs ignited in the turbulent north. Subsequently, jihadist elements exacerbated the situation by launching their campaign into central Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, sending shockwaves across the Sahel. In 2015, a peace agreement officially concluded the regional rebellion in northern Mali, yet the fragile pact faced significant strain following the overthrow of the civilian government in 2020, replaced by a junta. Tensions in the region have escalated in recent weeks after the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, tasked with leaving by year's end, handed over two bases near Timbuktu to the armed forces. This transfer triggered clashes between the military and jihadists, sparking a contentious standoff with former rebels and raising serious concerns regarding the sustainability of the 2015 peace agreement.