Spanish soldiers reinforce the security of their base in Mali after recent terrorist attacks in the region

Koulikoro, headquarters of the bulk of the Spanish contingent, has suffered various attacks with deaths this month of January

MADRID, 23 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish contingent deployed in Mali is carrying out work to reinforce the security of the Koulikoro training center after the region suffered various terrorist attacks this January.

Spain has a total of 316 troops deployed in Mali, the majority located in Koulikoro and the rest at the headquarters installed in the capital, in Bamako. It is in Koulikoro that the training center is located, where instruction was given to the Malian security forces, although this mission is currently suspended and the functions of the Spanish are limited to non-operational activities and advisory and support tasks.

EUTM reported this Monday that Spanish sappers deployed there are carrying out fortification work to provide greater protection and thus increase security, all in coordination with the Malian military authorities.

This takes place against a background of increasing insecurity in the country and recent terrorist attacks in the Koulikoro region earlier this month. Specifically, there were attacks on January 2 and 8 in which at least a dozen people died.

The attacks have been claimed by the Al Qaeda affiliate, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which has intensified its actions in the Sahel zone and, specifically, expanded its activity in Mali, extending to the south.

The situation of the European operation is also up in the air after France's decision to leave the country, to which other European countries such as Germany or the Czech Republic have joined, renouncing to continue in EUTM.

Spain, however, defends the need to continue having a military presence in the country to stop the advance of terrorism and, at the same time, not leave Russia a free hand, which has already installed itself in the territory both through its Army and the mercenary group. Wagner.

The Koulikoro training center was already the target of an attempted attack in February 2019, when two vehicles tried to access the base loaded with 1,000 kilos of explosive. That attack was repelled by the two troops who were on guard at the main gate of the compound.