MINUSMA Reports Fatal Attack on Timbuktu Patrol and Injured Officers
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali MINUSMA announced on Friday that two members of the UN Police unit were killed during a patrol in Timbuktu, with four others wounded. The attack occurred in the historic northern city as blue helmets carried out routine security duties.
Officially, a MINUSMA spokesperson conveyed shock at the loss of two police officers, including a woman officer, and extended condolences to the families while wishing a swift recovery to the four injured personnel. The statement was echoed by Ghassim Wane, the UN envoy to Mali, who emphasized the gravity of the incident and the urgent need to support those affected.
In a follow-up update from MINUSMA, it was reported that one of the four injured officers remained in serious condition. The wounded personnel were receiving medical care at the MINUSMA military hospital in Timbuktu, with clinicians monitoring their status closely and providing necessary treatment.
The UN mission confirmed that the assailants, who were armed, were neutralized at the scene. A Quick Response Force was deployed to secure the area and prevent further threats, underscoring MINUSMA’s commitment to rapid, decisive action in difficult operating conditions.
El Ghassim Wane reiterated that attacks against blue helmets may constitute war crimes and pledged that all measures would be taken to identify and prosecute those responsible. The mission stresses that accountability is essential to the protection of UN personnel and local communities alike.
Malian security challenges persist with multiple terrorist groups operating in the region, including factions affiliated with al Qaida and the Islamic State. Ongoing intercommunal violence, as well as the broader security and political instability that intensified in August 2020 and May 2021, aggravate the dangers faced by peacekeepers and local residents.