Bamako is battling a violent insurgency with links to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
A Comanav passenger boat that transports residents and supplies was attacked by Islamist militants yesterday.
The government said insurgents from a West African branch of Al-Qaeda, called Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen , had claimed responsibility for the attacks, which Reuters could not immediately confirm. Attacks have worsened in Mali since the military seized power in two coups in 2020 and 2021, kicked out French forces and a United Nations peacekeeping mission, and teamed up with Russian private military contractor Wagner Group.
The boat that was attacked was travelling from the city of Gao when it was hit. The operator, Comanav, usually transports residents and supplies on its boats.