Mali releases over 100 suspected jihadists to halt fuel convoy attacks
More than 100 suspected jihadists have been released in Mali following an agreement aimed at stopping attacks on fuel convoys. The attacks had severely disrupted the capital, Bamako, and caused a major crisis. The deal reportedly involved the opening of a safe corridor for tanker trucks in exchange for the release. JNIM, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, was behind the convoy attacks.
What we know
- Over 100 suspected jihadists were freed as part of a deal to allow fuel convoys to operate without attacks.
- The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, was responsible for the attacks on fuel tankers.
- The attacks had brought Bamako to a standstill during the peak of the crisis.
- The truce is expected to last until the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, known locally as Tabaski, at the end of May.
- Many detained Fulani individuals were also released as part of the agreement.
