Securing a major gateway to Mali

Gao International Airport is one of the key installations in the landlocked West African country Mali. It is the second largest airport of the country -- mostly used by UN officials, peacekeepers and military personnel.

Consequently, it is the target of choice for various terrorist and armed groups.

Improvised explosive device (IED), which can be detonated remotely, are frequently planted around the premises and random gunshots are quite common. Any visitor will hear rounds of gunfire around the airport at any time of the day.

In November 2016, terrorists attacked a wing of the airport despite tight security. However, there were no casualties.

Such attacks are so frequent that the situation is rather volatile and unpredictable around the airport, which makes it a stiff challenge for the peacekeepers to keep the airport functional.

Bangladeshi peacekeepers were deployed at the airport to ensure security.

“It is a risky area and we have to remain alert round the clock. Inattentiveness even for a single moment can endanger the lives of people and the airport,” Captain SM Tanvir Islam, operations officer of the Bangladesh Battalion at the airport, told the Daily Star.

He said there were all kinds of threats -- ranging from suicide attacks to mortar shells.

There are seven security posts around the airport and regular patrolling twice a day covering the outer perimeter of the airport carried out by Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council on April 25, 2013 to support political processes in Mali and carry out security-related tasks. 

According to official statistics, 213 incidents took place in Gao which accounted for more than a fourth (26.73 percent) of total incidents in Mali.

“Apart from patrolling, we also carry out various airport security related tasks,” Col M Khair Uddin, contingent commander of Bangladesh Battalion-6, said.

The airport is very important because it is the only way to reach operational sites like Kidal or Timbuktu.

Although it is possible to go to those camps by road, it requires a long drive -- ranging anywhere between seven and 13 days -- as there is no set road communication and the convoy has to go through the desert, which is riddled with IEDs along with the constant threat of terrorist attacks.

“All the UN staff and peacekeepers use this airport for going to other camps located in the remote parts of the country,” he said.