A United Nations-chartered plane was damaged during a militant attack in the capital of Mali. The plane, used by the World Food Program for humanitarian work, was targeted on Tuesday.
All crew and staff were unharmed, according to National Airways Corp., the South African company that owns the plane. The attack occurred while the plane was on the ground in Bamako.
The incident has reduced the World Food Program’s ability to provide emergency aid in remote areas of Mali. Djaounsede Madjiangar, a spokesperson for the program, said the plane was crucial for transporting aid workers and supplies.
The attack on the plane followed a larger assault on a military training camp and the airport in Bamako. Militants carried out the attack, resulting in the deaths of some soldiers. An al-Qaida-linked group claimed responsibility for the incident.
At least 15 suspects were arrested in connection with the attacks. A security official who witnessed the events confirmed the arrests.
National Airways Corp. expressed deep concern over the attack, stating that their assets were damaged while performing humanitarian work. The company emphasized that the situation in Bamako remained relatively calm, with no significant unrest.
The al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM claimed responsibility for the attacks, including the destruction of the UN plane. The group boasted of inflicting major human and material losses.
Mali has been grappling with an insurgency for over a decade. Armed groups, allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, have been active in the region. The recent military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have led to the expulsion of French forces and increased reliance on Russian mercenary units.
The Malian authorities have denied the presence of Wagner mercenaries in the country. Despite efforts by Colonel Assimi Goita, the current ruler, militant attacks continue to increase in central and northern Mali.