Indian Nationals Kidnapped in Mali Amid Escalating Violence and Unrest
Image Source: Internet
Five Indian nationals were kidnapped by armed gunmen in Mali's conflict-ridden region on Thursday. The workers, employed by a company working on electrification projects, were taken near Kobri in western Mali, according to a security source. Their company and a security official confirmed the kidnapping, while also revealing that other Indian nationals working for the company have been safely relocated to the capital, Bamako. The security situation in Mali has been deteriorating, with a military junta struggling to contain the spread of jihadist violence and criminal activity linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The economic crisis in the impoverished country has worsened, with the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) imposing a fuel blockade. This kidnapping marks the latest in a series of incidents targeting foreigners in Mali. Just last month, two Emirati nationals and an Iranian were kidnapped near Bamako and released for a reported ransom of at least $50 million. Mali has been plagued by coups and conflicts since 2012, and the ongoing unrest has left the country's residents facing a dire situation. Authorities are working to secure the release of the kidnapped Indian nationals, but no group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.
