By Caribbean News Global 
LONDON, England – Ambassador Jonathan Allen at the Security Council briefing, February 10, 2021, on the international threats to peace and security caused by terrorist acts, joined others in condemning this morning’s attack on 26 UN peacekeepers from Togo serving in the MINUSMA mission in Mali.
According to MINUSMA: “The robust response of the peacekeepers had the effect of repelling the attackers, who fled. Following the attack and according to a provisional assessment, around 20 peacekeepers were injured.”
While Ambassador Allen “wish all those injured a swift and complete recovery” he stressed that Daesh’s continued threat on Syria and Iraq and urged that perpetrators face justice.
At Security Council briefing the secretary-general’s report underscored, that Daesh continued to pose a global threat, said: “Despite territorial losses, the group remains able to inflict deadly harm in Syria and Iraq. We are concerned particularly by the IDP camps highlighted by the secretary-general’s report. The United Kingdom facilitates the return of unaccompanied or orphaned children on a case-by-case basis and subject to national security concerns. But those who have fought for or supported Daesh should face justice for their crimes in the most appropriate jurisdiction – often where those crimes were committed.”
He continued: “Further afield, we’re concerned about Daesh’s presence worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Its online recruitment and incitement must also be tackled. The United Kingdom remains an active member of the Global Coalition against Daesh. We co-lead coalition efforts to tackle the propaganda threat.
“At the United Nations level, the United Kingdom will continue to advocate for increasing focus on preventing terrorists’ misuse of the internet and aviation security, as well as emerging threats beyond Daesh like right-wing terrorism. We will also emphasise the need to protect and promote human rights and the rule of law while countering terrorism, and will prioritise prevention and whole-of-society approaches.”
Ambassador Allen concluded his statement by “associating myself with the comments of the representative of France in defence of the White Helmets. We’re used to hearing these slurs in our Syria debates and have responded in those meetings. It’s rather sad to hear it raised in a serious debate on counter-terrorism,” said the statement from Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, (FCDO).
In a statement, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) and head of MINUSMA, Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF, strongly condemned “this cowardly attack against the peacekeepers,” said:
“For several months we have been carrying out numerous security operations in this part of Mali, the main objective of which is to help reduce violence against populations, restore calm in areas where community tensions are reported, and reduce the threat of improvised explosive devices, as is the case in the Douentza region. These operations disturb the enemies of peace, but we remain committed alongside the Malians, for the Malians, ”he declared.
“The SRSG has ensured that all measures are taken to ensure that the injured receive prompt and appropriate treatment, to which he wishes a speedy and full recovery.”
