Latest Defence News 

Mali 

In central Mali, more than 110 civilians have been taken captive by suspected jihadists for six days now. The incident occurred on April 16 when three buses carrying civilians were stopped by these armed individuals. The passengers were then compelled to head towards a forest area between Bandiagara and Bankass.

According to local sources, the passengers and the buses have not been released yet. Oumar Ongoiba, a member of a local group of associations, has urged for the release of the abducted civilians. An elected official from Bandiagara, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, confirmed that over 120 individuals are still being held captive by the jihadists.

Mali has been facing turmoil since 2012 due to various factions associated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as self-defense groups and bandits. This unrest has led to a worsening security situation, further aggravated by humanitarian and political crises.

The impact of the violence has extended to neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, where military regimes have taken control. The abduction of civilians highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the region, with innocent people becoming victims of armed groups operating in the area.

Efforts to address the situation and ensure the safe release of the abducted civilians are crucial to restoring stability and security in Mali and the surrounding regions.