JNIM terrorist group claims responsibility over Mali attack on SL peacekeepers

Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an-Qaeda affiliated group in Mali has claimed responsibility for the attack on a UN peacekeeper convey on the January 25 which resulted in the death of two Sri Lankan Peacekeepers and injured six others.

By Asiri Fernando 

Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an-Qaeda affiliated group in Mali has claimed responsibility for the attack on a UN peacekeeper convey on the January 25 which resulted in the death of two Sri Lankan Peacekeepers and injured six others.

SITE Intelligence group a leading non government group that monitors extremism and political violence reported that JNIM had claimed responsibility for the incident.

According to SITE, JNIM had challenged the "peacekeeper" title of the Sri Lankan blue helmets and had demanded that they leave Mali. 

The claim by JNIM comes days after they claimed responsibility for another attack (Jan 21) that resulted in the deaths of 10 Chadian peacekeepers and injured more than 25.

 A 240 strong Sri Lankan army contingent is currently carrying out peacekeeper duties with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). 

The JNIM group was proscribed as a terrorist group in the United States in September last year. They are operational in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.