UNITED NATIONS

Elite peacekeeping force protects communities in Gao, Mali in the wake of terrorist attacks

It was a warm summer night in Gao, Northern Mali, when people suddenly woke up to the cries of women, men and children. A coordinated attack by terrorist groups on 18 June cost the lives of dozens of civilians in remote villages and led thousands to leave their belongings and flee for safety to the neighbouring town of Djebock.

The UN Peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, responded immediately, sending an elite Multinational Mobile Task Force (MTF) with Blue Helmets from Jordan, Sweden, Egypt and the United Kingdom to investigate the attacks and protect civilians from further harm. Multinational Mobile Task Forces like these are an essential asset for the peacekeeping mission in emergency situations as they are highly mobile and specialized forces that can respond within hours.