Nearly two dozen United Nations peacekeepers were injured in northern Mali when their convoy struck two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the town of Anefis.
This incident occurred during the force’s 350km (220-mile) withdrawal from Kidal to Gao, a journey that has seen a total of six explosive attacks resulting in at least 39 injuries since late October.
The wounded personnel were airlifted to Gao for medical treatment as the mission, known as MINUSMA, navigated increasingly hostile territory.
This withdrawal followed an order from Mali’s military leadership for the roughly 15,000 UN personnel to depart the country by the end of 2023.
The exit process has been marked by a significant security vacuum, with Tuareg rebels claiming control of Kidal shortly after the UN’s departure.
The mission, established in 2013, faced growing friction with Malian authorities who increasingly restricted its operations while seeking alternative security assistance from Russia’s Wagner Group.
