Terrorism in Mali

The US Department of State warns of ongoing terrorist attacks and violence in Mali. 

On June 1, a Chinese national was killed and at least 12 other people were injured when a car bomb was detonated at a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission camp near the northern city of Gao. In a separate attack within the city, one French national and two Malians were killed. No group has claimed responsibility for either attack.

On March 21, heavily armed assailants attacked the European Union’s Training Mission (EUTM) headquarters and primary residence in the diplomatic enclave in Bamako. Although no EUTM staff were injured, one Malian security officer was shot and required extensive medical care. Al-Qaeda in the Lands of Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attack.

Violent extremist groups have been targeting foreigners for kidnappings over the past year in Timbuktu and along Mali’s border with Burkina Faso.