Mali: Jnim terrorists broadcast a video of soldiers captured in Kwala

2024-03-06T21:45:17.256Z

Highlights: Mali: Jnim terrorists broadcast a video of soldiers captured in Kwala. Around thirty soldiers were killed and two others taken prisoner in the attack on a Malian military position. The video broadcast is obviously a propaganda tool, but once again undermines official declarations on the “ rise in power ” of the army. The two hostages appeal to the authorities there in the hope of being released. The exact number of Malian soldiers currently held hostage is unknown, but many have been captured in recent months.

Around thirty soldiers were killed and two others taken prisoner in the attack on a Malian military position.

Mali: Jnim terrorists broadcast a video of soldiers captured in Kwala

Around thirty soldiers were killed and two others taken prisoner in the attack on a Malian military position.

Malian soldiers on patrol.

MICHELE CATTANI / AFP

By: David Baché

Mali

, the Jnim (Support Group for Islam and Muslims), linked to Al-Qaeda, released this Monday a video of

Malian hostages captured near Kwala

, Koulikoro region.

The video broadcast is obviously a propaganda tool, but once again undermines official declarations on the “

rise in power

” of the army.

The two hostages appeal to the authorities there in the hope of being released.

Visibly tested, they speak in Bambara in front of a fabric hiding the decor.

The two soldiers give their names and number, recount the long attack last Wednesday, during which both were injured, and ask the transitional authorities to help them.

Declaring - under duress - to be well treated, they also appeal to the main Islamic leaders of the country, so that they relay to the authorities the request of the jihadists: in return for their release, the Jnim demands that of its fighters detained in the Malian prisons.

Few comments from either side

The exact number of Malian soldiers currently held hostage by Jnim is unknown, but many have been captured in recent months.

Previous videos showing other captive soldiers have already been broadcast several times.

Neither the army nor the Malian transitional authorities have ever commented on them.

Nor did they give a report for the attack on Kwala.

Last week, local sources contacted by RFI deplored 30 to 32 soldiers killed and several dozen injured or missing.

On Saturday, Jnim officially claimed responsibility for the attack and claimed to have killed “

more than thirty

” soldiers, captured two, and recovered an impressive quantity of weapons and vehicles.

Bamako, for its part, assured that the army's reaction had made it possible to destroy several terrorist bases.

Mali: Jnim terrorists broadcast a video of soldiers captured in Kwala

Mali: Jnim terrorists broadcast a video of soldiers captured in Kwala

Few comments from either side

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