In Mali, a Possible Tuareg Suicide Bomber

A recent attack in northern Mali is notable not for the casualties it inflicted but for the alleged identity of the perpetrator. On Feb. 8, a reportedly Tuareg suicide bomber attacked a Malian army outpost in Bourem, a city north of Gao, killing himself and wounding one Malian soldier. Tuaregs in Mali have been members of jihadist groups, such as al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa, but heretofore have traditionally served as foot soldiers; rarely, if ever, have they served as human bombs. This development could show that the Tuaregs who operate among jihadist organizations have changed their attack methods.