Mali: 5 Indians kidnapped amid rising Al-Qaeda, ISIS insurgency threat
What's the story
Five Indian nationals have been kidnapped in Mali, a West African country that is witnessing an upsurge in violence by Al-Qaeda and ISIS-linked groups, according to AFP. The incident took place on Thursday near Kobri in western Mali. The victims were working for a company involved in local electrification projects. A company representative confirmed the abduction and said all other Indian workers have been evacuated to Bamako, the capital city of Mali.
Ongoing turmoil
Mali has been under military junta for years
Mali has been under a military junta for years and is struggling with rising extremist violence. The Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has tightened a fuel blockade, aggravating an already dire economic crisis. Kidnappings of foreigners are common in Mali due to repeated coups and jihadist attacks since 2012.
Security concerns
Kidnapping of foreigners common in Mali
In September, JNIM fighters had kidnapped two Emirati citizens and an Iranian near Bamako. They were released after a ransom of at least $50 million was paid. The group has expanded its reach from northern Mali to the center of the country and into Burkina Faso and Niger. Mali's junta leader Assimi Goita came to power promising to defeat the insurgency, but his shift in defense alliances hasn't yielded results.
Rising fears
Fears of JNIM advancing toward Bamako
Despite Bamako being under government control, there are fears of JNIM advancing toward the capital. In areas under their control, the group has imposed strict rules such as restricting movement and mandating women to wear hijabs on public transport. The abduction of Indian nationals adds to the list of foreign kidnappings in Mali, where repeated coups and jihadist attacks have eroded state control since 2012.