A fuel tanker convoy in western Mali was attacked on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 drivers. Dozens of tankers were set ablaze on the road linking the Senegalese border to the city of Kis.
Local authorities blame jihadist fighters for the assault. The al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed an ambush on “northern forces” in the area but did not specifically mention the convoy.
The attack occurred amid a months-long fuel blockade enforced by JNIM, which has repeatedly targeted fuel supplies since September to damage Mali’s economy. While attacks had declined in recent weeks and fuel supplies had improved, this is the deadliest strike of its kind since early December.
