Overview
- Gunmen intercepted a convoy near Kobri on Nov. 6 and seized five Indians working on electrification projects, according to a company official and a security source.
- The company evacuated its remaining Indian employees to Bamako as a precaution.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and no demands have been disclosed publicly.
- Mali’s security landscape has deteriorated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked factions, including JNIM’s recent fuel blockade that has strained the economy.
- Two Emiratis and an Iranian abducted in September were released last week after a reported ransom exceeding $50 million, highlighting the risks to foreign workers.