September 2021 Bamessing ambush
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = September 2021 Bamessing ambush
| partof = the Anglophone Crisis
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| place = Near Bamessing, Ngo-Ketunjia{{cite web| url = https://agencecamerounpresse.com/2021-d%C3%A9fense/anglophone-crisis-about-15-soldiers-perish-in-amba-ambush-in-sabga.html| title = Anglophone crisis: About 15 soldiers perish in Amba ambush in Sabga| work = Agence Cameroun Presse |author= Ariane Foguem| date = 17 September 2021| access-date = 23 October 2021}}
| territory =
| result = Ambazonian victory
| status =
| combatant1 = {{flag|Cameroon|size=22px}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Ambazonia|size=22px}}
| units1 = 6th Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR){{cite web| url = https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/secessionist-terrorists-kill-15-soldiers-in-cameroon-conflict-zones/2370141| title = 'Secessionist terrorists' kill 15 soldiers in Cameroon conflict zones| work = AA|author= Aurore Bonny| date = 21 September 2021| access-date = 23 October 2021}}
| units2 = Bambalang Marine Forces
Jaguars of Bamessing
| commander1 = Unknown
| commander2 = "General No Pity"[https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-ambazonia-fighters-kill-15-soldiers-in-restive-nw-region/ Cameroon: Ambazonia fighters kill 15 soldiers in restive NW region], Journal du Cameroun, Sep 17, 2021. Accessed Sep 17, 2021.
"General Sagard"
| casualties1 = 15 killed
Two armored vehicles destroyed[https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/cameroon-separatists-kill-15-soldiers-attacks-using-explosives-2021-09-20/ Cameroon separatists kill 15 soldiers in attacks using explosives], Reuters, Sep 21, 2021. Accessed Sep 21, 2021.
| casualties2 = None confirmed
| strength1 =
| strength2 =
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Anglophone Crisis}}
}}
On 16 September 2021, two Ambazonian separatist groups, namely the Bambalang Marine Forces and Jaguars of Bamessing, ambushed a military convoy near Bamessing, Ngo-Ketunjia. The ambush was one of the deadliest single separatist attacks so far in the Anglophone Crisis, and led to the announcement of a "paradigm shift" by Cameroon's Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo six days later.[https://cameroonnewsagency.com/mindef-admits-strategy-against-ambazonia-forces-has-failed/?fbclid=IwAR2akl8tBSB35tN-GFUEDXdVUv13Y_v3l9PWWLlWSsZvLEn_yPExey4j2FM MINDEF Admits Strategy Against Ambazonia Forces Has Failed], Cameroon News Agency, Sep 22, 2021. Accessed Sep 22, 2021.
Background
By September 2021, the separatists had acquired anti-tank rockets, probably imported from Nigeria. These weapons were used in a series of attacks,[https://www.voanews.com/a/cameroon-rebels-use-smuggled-anti-tank-rockets-to-kill-28-people-/6242727.html Cameroon: Rebels Use Smuggled Anti-Tank Rockets to Kill 28 People], Voice of America, Sep 23, 2021. Accessed Sep 23, 2021. with the first taking place at Kumbo on 12 September.
The ambush
According to Agence Cameroun Presse, the ambush was jointly organized by two separatist militias, namely the Bambalang Marine Forces led by "General No Pity" and the Jaguars of Bamessing commanded by "General Sagard". The attack targeted a convoy of the 6th Rapid Intervention Battalion which was on a reconnaissance mission. The rebels stopped the convoy using an improvised explosive device{{cite web| url = https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20210917-cameroun-une-dizaine-de-soldats-tu%C3%A9s-dans-le-nord-ouest| title = Cameroun: une dizaine de soldats tués dans le Nord-Ouest| work = rfi| date = 18 September 2021| access-date = 23 October 2021}}{{cite web| url = https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/20/rebel-attacks-kill-15-soldiers-in-troubled-cameroon| title = Rebel attacks kill 15 soldiers, civilians in western Cameroon| work = al-Jazeera| date = 20 September 2021| access-date = 23 October 2021}} next to a hill on a road from Bamessing to Sabga, whereupon they fired anti-tank rockets and destroyed two armored vehicles. The insurgents then targeted the government troops with heavy gunfire. Overall, 15 soldiers were killed in the ambush.
Following the ambush, the separatist fighters including "General No Pity" filmed themselves celebrating next to the burning vehicles before taking off with captured weapons. Based on the footage, Agence Cameroun Presse journalist Ariane Foguem argued that rebels had also taken uniforms from the convoy. The insurgents went on to post videos on social media which showed them posing with the naked corpses of the killed soldiers. Foguem also claimed that the rebels had captured some soldiers whom they subsequently tortured to death.{{cite web| url = https://agencecamerounpresse.com/2021-d%C3%A9fense/cameroon-army-silent-over-gruesome-killing-of-soldiers-in-restive-anglophone-region.html| title = Cameroon: Army silent over gruesome killing of soldiers in restive Anglophone region| work = Agence Cameroun Presse |author= Ariane Foguem| date = 20 September 2021| access-date = 23 October 2021}}
Aftermath
After the attack, Cameroonian forces went to search for the separatists in Babanki and killed at least two civilians.[https://www.facebook.com/CAMEROONNEWSAGENCY/posts/4235558179890534 Facebook], Cameroon News Agency, Sep 17, 2021. Cameroon's United Socialist Democratic Party, an opposition party, called for a ceasefire between the government and the separatists in response to the ambush, with party president Prince Ekosso stating that the "whole country is bleeding". United People for Social Renovation secretary general Serge Espoir Matomba stated on Facebook that the ambush was a "shameful attack on Cameroon's democracy".
General No Pity was allegedly killed in 2023, although as of May 2024 his death has not been confirmed.{{cite web |url= https://theguardianpostcameroon.com/post/1182/en/as-infighting-over-succession-of-late-no-pity-rages-dreaded-amba-general-shina-rambo-surrenders-in-ngoketunjia |title=As infighting over succession of late 'No Pity' rages |date=31 May 2023 |author=Mua Patrick |website=The Guardian Post Cameroon |access-date= 17 June 2023 }} General Sagard was killed by Cameroonian forces in May 2024.{{Cite web |title=Separatist 'General,' two others killed in Ndop |url=https://cameroonnewsagency.com/separatist-general-two-others-killed-in-ndop/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Cameroon News Agency |language=en-US}}
References
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Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in 2021
Category:Military history of Cameroon
Category:Northwest Region (Cameroon)
Category:September 2021 crimes in Africa
Category:Improvised explosive device bombings in Africa
Category:Terrorist incidents in Cameroon
Category:2021 road incidents in Africa