Kangaba attack

Kangaba attack
LocationKangaba, Mali
Coordinates12°36′54″N 7°51′53″W / 12.61489°N 7.86481°W / 12.61489; -7.86481
Date18 June 2017
TargetLe Campement Kangaba
Attack type
Hostage taking
Deaths5

On 18 June 2017, gunmen attacked Le Campement Kangaba in Dougourakoro, east of Bamako, Mali, a luxury resort frequented by tourists. Hostages were reported to have been taken and at least 5 people are reported to have been killed, including a Franco-Gabonese civilian, a Chinese citizen and a Portuguese soldier.[1] According to an eyewitness, the attack began when a man on a motorcycle arrived at the compound and fired at the crowd. He was followed by two other assailants.[2] Security forces stationed at the resort held off the attack for several hours while awaiting reinforcements.[3] Once arrived, the United Nations troops managed to rescue around 60 people staying at the resort.[4] Some residents hid in a cave near the resort and managed to avoid the attackers.[citation needed]

Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin claimed responsibility for the attack, and Mali security minister Salif Traoré confirmed it was a jihadist attack. Malian troops and France's Operation Barkhane counter-terrorist force came to the site. Four assailants were killed in the aftermath and four arrested.[5]

Aftermath

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Casualties

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Deaths by nationality
Country Number
 Mali 1
 France/ Mali 1
 France/ Gabon 1
 China 1
 Portugal 1
Total 5

Decorations

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Spanish Army Commander Miguel Angel Franco Fernandez was awarded the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal for his efforts in defending the civilians at the hotel.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "At least two killed in terror attack on luxury resort in Mali". The Independent. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Armed men storm resort in Malian capital Bamako". Al Jazeera. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Comandante Franco: la secuencia de cómo un hombre se enfrentó a los yihadistas en bañador". El Español (in European Spanish). 9 March 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Al Qaeda-linked group claims deadly attack at Mali resort". Reuters. 18 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Mali attack: Gunmen kill five at tourist resort". BBC. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Comandante Franco: la secuencia de cómo un hombre se enfrentó a los yihadistas en bañador". El Español (in European Spanish). 9 March 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2020.