Al-Qaeda linked group says it carried out huge attack on Mali’s army
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JNIM claims responsibility for deadly attacks in Mali, highlighting worsening insecurity in the Sahel region.
A powerful al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group has claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a Malian army base in Boulikessi, as well as a separate attack in the historic city of Timbuktu. The twin attacks reflect the growing strength and reach of Islamist insurgents in Mali and the wider Sahel region.
According to reports from Reuters, more than 30 Malian soldiers were killed during the assault on Sunday, though the figure has not been officially confirmed by the Malian authorities. The attack was carried out by Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), a group known for frequent operations across Mali and neighbouring countries.
In a statement released on Monday, JNIM also claimed responsibility for targeting military positions in Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has faced multiple sieges by Islamist fighters over the past decade. Residents described hearing gunfire and explosions throughout the city during the early hours of Monday.
Army Claims to Have Fought Back
The Malian army released a statement late Monday confirming it had repelled what it described as an “infiltration attempt by terrorist fighters” in Timbuktu. The army reported that 14 militants were “neutralized,” and 31 suspects had been arrested. Additionally, weapons, vehicles, and other equipment were seized during the operation. The military did not officially name JNIM as the group behind the attacks.
The army also confirmed that search operations were ongoing in Timbuktu, indicating that militant fighters may still be present in the area. A previous statement described a fierce response to Sunday’s attack in Boulikessi but noted that the military eventually “withdrew,” suggesting a strategic retreat in the face of overwhelming force.
“Many men fought, some until their last breath, to defend the Malian nation,” the army’s statement read, honoring the soldiers who died in the battle.
Witnesses and Footage Reveal Brutal Assault
Local sources told Reuters that the militant group caused heavy casualties and completely overran the army base. Unverified video footage reportedly shows dozens of fighters storming the base, some walking among dead bodies. The gruesome scenes underscore the intensity of the assault and the vulnerability of government forces.
In the Timbuktu attack, JNIM claimed its fighters had also targeted a military airport and Russian mercenaries supporting the Malian military. Eyewitnesses said the militants used a vehicle laden with explosives to launch the assault, detonating it near the army camp before engaging in a firefight.
Military and security sources confirmed to the AFP news agency that soldiers were still engaged in battle, with militants believed to be operating “everywhere in the city.” The statement added to concerns that JNIM may now be trying to establish a stronger foothold in major towns and strategic military locations.
Regional Instability and International Warnings
These latest attacks signal a deteriorating security landscape not just in Mali, but across the broader Sahel region. Since the start of last month, more than 400 soldiers are believed to have been killed in militant attacks across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, according to figures reported by Reuters.
The violence also comes in the wake of a warning from U.S. Africa Command (Africom), which recently raised concerns about growing coordination between jihadist groups in the Sahel. During a press conference last week, Gen. Michael Langley, the commander of Africom, highlighted the growing ambitions of such groups to gain access to West Africa’s coastal regions.
Langley warned that control of coastal routes would significantly increase these groups’ capacity to smuggle weapons and finance their operations through trafficking.
The attacks in Boulikessi and Timbuktu underscore the urgent need for a coordinated international response to prevent militant groups from further destabilizing the region and advancing their reach toward the Atlantic coast.
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