Jihadist Assault on Security Forces in Mali Amid Escalating Violence
A jihadist faction has reported that its “special operation” resulted in significant human and material losses. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) is recognized as one of the most active militant organizations in the Sahel region, having carried out numerous attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
According to an army statement early this morning, a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Faladie gendarmerie school. This facility was one of the several “sensitive points” targeted by terrorist attacks at dawn, as noted by the security ministry.
While there have been no official reports of casualties, two members of the security forces told AFP that they suffered injuries during the attack. In response, the security ministry reassured residents that they could continue their daily activities as usual. However, various international organizations, including the UN, have advised their personnel to limit movement in the area.
Social media footage has shown thick black smoke rising from a section of the city as gunfire erupted, individuals heading to a mosque for morning prayers were forced to turn back. Consequently, Bamako’s Modibo Keita International Airport has been closed in the aftermath of the attack.
The military came to power in a coup in 2021, citing the government’s inability to effectively combat the ongoing insurgency. Following the coup, the military expelled French troops and UN peacekeepers, opting to engage Russia’s Wagner Group to assist in the fight against jihadists, yet there remains no indication of an end to the insurgency.
