In the wake of a significant reduction in UN peacekeeping forces in northern Mali, there has been a troubling surge in violent attacks across the region. These attacks have more than doubled since the initial phase of UN troop withdrawal, with over 150 lives lost as a result. One particularly audacious assault saw militants targeting a passenger boat, resulting in the tragic deaths of 49 civilians. Furthermore, rebels recently launched attacks on Malian army camps near the border with Mauritania, resulting in casualties among the security personnel stationed there.