Five Estonian Defence Forces members injured in Mali terrorist attack
On Monday night, suicide bombers attacked the French military base in Gao, Mali, where Estonian and Malian troops are also serving. Five members of the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) were injured alongside French and Malian troops.
The troops injured in the attack were immediately administered first aid. Their injuries are not severe, the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces confirmed.
Suicide bombers attacked the base with a vehicle containing an improvised explosive device (IED).
The attack took place at the entrance to the French part of the base, The Defence Post reported French military spokesperson Col. Frederic Barbry as saying. The attackers did not manage to enter the base itself.
Barbry likewise confirmed that the troops’ injuries were not life-threatening.
A source in Gao had told Nord Sud Journal that Malian troops fired on a vehicle as it tried to drive through a checkpoint located outside the base. The occupants of the vehicle returned fire before the vehicle exploded.
The French-led Operation Barkhane includes some 4,500 French troops serving throughout the region, 2,700 of which in Mali. Gao is the site of a permanent French military base.
President Kersti Kaljulaid and Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Centre) wished for a speedy recovery to the Estonian troops injured on Monday night. Both the head of state and the head of government stressed the contributions they have made to ensuring the security of Estonia and its allies.
“I wish a speedy recovery to the members of the EDF who were injured in the suicide attack in Mali last night,” Kaljulaid wrote on social media. “All of Estonia has its fingers crossed for you, as while you are serving on this mission, you are standing for all of us and our allies!”
“I wish a speedy recovery to our compatriots, and peace of mind to their loved ones,” Ratas wrote on social media on Tuesday morning. “I will help with this in any way I can. I met with members of the EDF at the base in Gao last October. I saw how seriously they contribute to the success of the international operation on behalf of the security of Estonia and our region, and how highly Malians and the French value our troops’ contributions. I can confirm as much again today.”
Following the attack, Ratas said in a press release that this was a reminder of how seriously members of the EDF must be taken who, in the name of peace and stability, participate in international military operations far from home for the sake of Estonian security.
“I wish the Estonian troops injured in Mali a speedy recovery, and peace of mind to all of their loved ones,” Ratas said. “French President Emmanuel Macron asked me to pass along the same message to our troops and their loved ones. The Estonian state will do everything it can to help aid the speedy recovery of our troops.”
In his statement, the head of government highlighted that Estonia has a clear role and responsibility in the world. “We will support our allies and partners in NATO and the EU on a daily basis,” he said.
In a phone call on Tuesday morning, Minister of Defence Jüri Luik (Isamaa) and French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly discussed the attack in Mali, according to a ministry press release.
“We are proud of the members of the EDF who are defending European security in Mali,” Luik said, adding that he wishes the troops a speedy recovery. “It is in our interests to stand against threats together with our allies, understanding one another’s needs and strengthening our allied relations.”
Parly thanked the Estonian troops for their exemplary service, and wished them a speedy recovery as well. She stressed that the Estonian troops’ professional behavior during the attack is exactly what French troops so highly value in their Estonian colleagues.
The U.S. Embassy likewise released a statement in response to the attack.
“The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn is saddened to learn of yesterday’s terrorist attacks on Estonian, French and Malian troops serving in Operation Barkhane and Malian civilians at the Gao military camp in Mali,” the embassy said in a press release.
“We deeply admire these servicemembers’ commitment to eradicating terrorism, and the risks that are attached to this mission,” the statement continued. “We share our sympathies with the injured civilians, soldiers, and their families, and stand united with our allies in rejecting all acts of terrorism worldwide.”
Operation Barkhane is a French-led anti-insurgent mission in Africa’s Sahel region. The operation’s objective is to support the governments of the Sahel region countries of Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad in their fight against Islamic terrorists, as well as prevent illegal migration and human trafficking. The UK is also supporting the operation with transport helicopters, and Spain with an air force component.
Nearly 50 members of the EDF are currently serving in Gao, including ESTPLA-30 infantry platoon and members of a national support element. The French Army-led Operation Barkhane
In addition to patrols, Estonians serving on the French Army-led Operation Barkhane are tasked with ensuring the security of the base as well as fulfilling rapid response tasks.
Source: News Err
