Mali’s Capital City Bamako Targeted in Deadly Assault by Al Qaeda-Linked Group
In a devastating blow to Mali’s security forces, a jihadist attack on a military police training camp and a nearby airport complex in the capital city of Bamako earlier this week has killed more than 70 people and left over 200 injured. This marks one of the deadliest incidents in recent years in the West African nation.
The attack, claimed by the al Qaeda-linked Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM), began with gunfire and explosions at dawn on Tuesday. According to a Malian security source, 77 people were confirmed dead, while an internal document raised the toll to 81. Around 255 others sustained injuries, many in critical condition.
This operation, targeting both the police camp and part of the Bamako airport, is the first of its scale in years. Bamako, typically spared from the near-daily attacks seen in other parts of the country, was left reeling as jihadist fighters stormed the military facilities, reportedly destroying aircraft and firing indiscriminately.
Junta Faces Backlash After Attack
The attack comes at a time of heightened tension in Mali, with the ruling military junta struggling to maintain security in a region long plagued by insurgent violence. The Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a key player in Mali’s jihadist insurgency, has claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that hundreds of opposing forces, including members of the Russian Wagner paramilitary group, were killed or wounded.
Mali’s military authorities have yet to release an official death toll, but the incident raises significant concerns about the country’s current security strategy. Experts warn that this attack could signal the jihadists’ intent to extend their reach beyond rural areas, pressuring the junta to reallocate its forces to protect urban centers.
A Region Under Siege
Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, has been under military rule since a series of coups starting in 2020. The Sahel region has seen the rise of Islamist insurgencies tied to both al Qaeda and the Islamic State group, with Mali becoming a key battleground. The ruling junta has pivoted away from traditional partnerships with France, instead fostering closer ties with Russia.
The recent attack, which coincides with the one-year anniversary of the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), underscores the continuing instability across the region.
International Condemnation
As funerals for the victims take place, including for 50 military police trainees, condemnation has poured in from across Africa and the international community. Senegal, along with the African Union, has denounced the attack. Meanwhile, the French embassy in Bamako extended its condolences to the Malian government.
Despite restrictions on free speech imposed by the junta, many Malians are taking to social media, demanding accountability and calling for the punishment of those responsible for the security lapse.
Join our Channel...