8th February, 2025
A brutal ambush by suspected Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) jihadists has left at least 40 civilians dead and multiple vehicles destroyed along the Ansongo-Gao axis in northern Mali.
The supply convoy, which was under military escort, was overwhelmed by relentless gunfire and explosive attacks near the volatile town of Kobe.
According to security sources, the attackers launched a coordinated assault from strategic positions, using automatic weapons and explosive devices to devastate the convoy.
According to Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert, five vehicles were set ablaze as the military escort struggled to fend off the well-armed militants.
The region, a known hotspot for jihadist activities, has suffered repeated attacks from ISSP and their rival faction, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
This latest massacre underscores the escalating insecurity in Mali, where extremist groups continue to terrorize both civilians and security forces.
Authorities are yet to release an official casualty report, but military reinforcements have been deployed to the area as the government vows to hunt down the perpetrators.
