Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BAMAKO445
2009-07-06 16:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bamako
Cable title:  

AMBUSH: AQIM INFLICTS HEAVY LOSSES IN BATTLE WITH

Tags:  PGOV PINS PINR PREL PTER ML 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2018
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHBP #0445 1871609
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 061609Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAMAKO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0535
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0663
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 000445 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINS PINR PREL PTER ML
SUBJECT: AMBUSH: AQIM INFLICTS HEAVY LOSSES IN BATTLE WITH
MALIAN FORCES

Classified By: Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic, Embassy Bamako, for reas
ons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 000445

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINS PINR PREL PTER ML
SUBJECT: AMBUSH: AQIM INFLICTS HEAVY LOSSES IN BATTLE WITH
MALIAN FORCES

Classified By: Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic, Embassy Bamako, for reas
ons 1.4 (b) and (d).

1.(C) Summary: In the early morning hours of July 4, AQIM
elements attacked a Malian army convoy camped approximately
130 kilometers northwest of Timbuktu in the area of Araouane.
A preliminary tally indicates that at least 20 Malian
soldiers were killed, and as many as 19 may have been
captured. Among the captured is Colonel Hamma Ould Mohammed
Yahya, reportedly a cousin of Colonel Lamana Ould Bou,
assassinated on June 10 in Timbuktu. End Summary.

2.(C) Sometime between two and four a.m. on Saturday, July 4,
elements of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched a
surprise attack on a group of Malian military personnel and
their vehicles as they were camped for the night. The ambush
occurred approximately 130 kilometers northwest of Timbuktu,
somewhat southwest of the town of Araouane. Casualty
estimates continue to increase, with the Malian media
initially reporting zero to four Malian deaths based on
statements made during the weekend, and Embassy sources on
Monday indicating 25 to 28. Abdoul Kader Ba, an advisor at
the Malian Presidency, told the Embassy on July 6 that a
Malian military officer arriving on the scene discovered at
least 20 freshly dug graves. The dead, members of the Malian
military, were reportedly buried by AQIM forces after the
battle. Malian press reports further indicated the Malian
army lost four to six pick-up trucks, which were damaged or
destroyed during the fighting.

3.(C) At least 11, and possibly as many as 19, Malian
soldiers and officers were taken prisoner by AQIM. According
to Ba, who provided the latter figure, the captured Malian
soldiers include Colonel Hamma Ould Mohammed Yahya, a cousin
of Colonel Lamana Ould Bou, whose assassination on June 10
immediately precipitated the launching of Malian military
operations against AQIM. Ba said AQIM had not yet made any
demands in return for the release of the prisoners, though he
indicated they were likely being used by AQIM to guard
against any immediate attacks by the Malian army, as any such
attempt might result in the deaths of those prisoners.

4.(C) Other Embassy sources indicate that a letter was
prepared by AQIM, addressed to the Malian government, and
left upon the grave of one of the dead Malian soldiers.
While the content of the letter is unknown, it may be linked
to AQIM's recent efforts to negotiate a truce with Berabiche
Arabs who joined forces with the Malian government after the
assassination of Colonel Lamana. Embassy sources suggest the
majority of the soldiers and officers held captive are
Berabiche Arabs, and AQIM may attempt to secure a truce with
the Berabiche community in exchange for release of the
prisoners.

5.(C) Although the present location of Malian forces and AQIM
elements is subject to some dispute, it is known that
reinforcement columns were dispatched by the Malian
government as of Sunday, July 5.

--------------
Comment: A Battle Joined
--------------

6.(C) The July 4 attack underscores the vulnerability of
Malian forces, and Mali itself, to attacks by AQIM elements.
AQIM, with knowledge of the terrain, and unmatched
maneuverability, has the capacity to inflict devastating
losses on untrained Malian units. Malian media articles
covering the attack have almost universally emphasized that
the West, including the United States, have vowed to support
Malian efforts once joined in the struggle against Al Qaeda.

MILOVANOVIC