The November 2015 Terrorist Siege in Mali (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Nov. 23, 2015 |
| Report Number |
IN10401 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Blanchard, Lauren Ploch;Renard, Emily;Arieff, Alexis |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
On November 20, 2015, gunmen laid siege to the Radisson Blu, a hotel popular with foreigners in Mali's capital, Bamako. At least 22 people are reportedly dead, including one American. Other Americans were among more than 100 hostages safely recovered. Malian and French forces conducted rescue operations; U.S. Special Operations forces supported those efforts. Al Murabitoun, a Sahel-based terrorist group affiliated with Al Qaeda, and Al Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) jointly claimed responsibility for the assault, possibly in coordination with other Mali-based groups. The Bamako attack came one week after the terrorist attacks in Paris, amid heightened international concern about threats to soft targets. It was the latest in a series against domestic and international targets in Mali and Northwest Africa. After several high-impact attacks by the self-declared Islamic State, the assault is also an indication of the growing fragmentation within the 'larger terrorism landscape,' with an array of groups emerging in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and growing threats against U.S. partners. Some groups have aligned themselves with Al Qaeda and others with the Islamic State, creating competition for recruits, resources, and public attention. Despite rhetorical affiliation with transnational groups, many Africa-based groups operate with relative autonomy.
