An armed group attacked the Radisson hotel in Mali’s capital Bamako last week, killing at least 20 people and trapping  dozens of civilians for hours. Several hotel staff and guests were held hostage until rescued by security forces. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), France, and the United States provided special troops to recover hostages. Three extremist groups took responsibility for the siege: the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) affiliated Jihadist group Al Mourabitoun, al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and the Massina Liberation Front.

The United Nations (UN) condemned the attack and expressed concern over the increase in violence during a progressive peacemaking and reconciliation process in Mali. The UN Secretary general commented that he “deplores any attempt to derail the implementation of the Agreement.” He pledged to provide full support to the Malian authorities in their fight against extremist and terrorist groups.  

In addition to civilians, humanitarian workers and non-governmental organizational establishments aiding victims have been vulnerable to attacks in the northern regions of Mali. The UN has reported over two dozen attacks targeting aid workers and facilities in the past two months alone. The destruction of such facilities limits the distribution of water, food, shelter, education, and health care services.Mali has been experiencing an increase in violence since rebels expelled the Malian military and Islamic militants established strongholds in the country’s three northern regions in 2012. Although international military intervention retook the regions in 2013, northern Mali has failed to completely restore full stability and security. Thousands of civilians have fled and continue to flee The North. The number of internally displaced persons has reached over 60,000 since the 2012 rebellion.

To read more, visit:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52612#.VlRkJUYYGag
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52634#.VlRbZEYYGag
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/23/us-mali-attacks-idUSKBN0TC0XY20151123#hI2hqyS2AqhWMb41.97
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34879955
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ml.html http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52552#.VlRd3UYYGag
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/05/14/uk-mali-islamic-state-idUKKBN0NZ1DV20150514