Western intelligence services have reassessed the masterminds of the failed attack on an EU military camp in Mali last Sunday. They assume that Jama'at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslim (JNIM) is behind the crime. It is the region's most powerful terrorist group, maintaining close ties to the al Qaeda terrorist network.
Recently, the JNIM published on the Internet then a claimant. "Through God-given success and mercy, a JNIM unit has succeeded in launching an attack on the Koulikuru military camp in the capital, Bamako, Mali on the morning of Sunday." The services believe the letter of credibility after a first analysis for credible.
In the attack on the camp of EU trainers in Koulikoro, among them also about 100 Bundeswehr soldiers, the attackers tried to destroy the gate of the camp with car bombs. Malian and Spanish soldiers fought off the attack early Sunday morning.
Attack was carefully prepared
The investigations illustrate that South Mali, previously believed to be safe, has long since been under the influence of Islamist terrorists. According to SPIEGEL information, the secret services suspected on Monday that the probably dangerous terrorist group JNIM is responsible for the attack.
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin is a coalition of organizations from the region founded just two years ago, led by terrorist Iyad Ag Ghaly. The JNIM operates not only in Mali but in the whole Sahel region.
According to previous findings, the attack was carefully planned, it was said, so that's why only the JNIM come into question. Thus, two explosives-prepared pick-ups should apparently take advantage of the surprise effect and break through the southern gate of the camp. Half a dozen armed fighters were ready to enter the camp. Such complex attacks are still quite new in Mali.
The security situation is becoming increasingly tense
From the point of view of the Bundeswehr, which has been stationed for several years in the officers' training school of the Malian army, the attack represents a change in the threat situation. So far, the place Koulikoro, about an hour's drive north of the capital Bamako, was considered relatively safe.
The Bundeswehr wants to quickly reassess the situation. Next week, a team of investigators will fly to Mali to check the protection measures for the camp, which also includes Spaniards and Austrians. So far, the area is only provisionally secured.
For Wednesday, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has announced in the camp. Maas already provided the Bundeswehr with additional protection the day before, if necessary. They will do their utmost to ensure the safety of soldiers with the "best possible equipment and infrastructure".