Mali Army Reports Killing 80 Militants Following al-Qaeda Linked Attacks

In a significant military response, Mali’s armed forces announced the killing of 80 fighters following a series of simultaneous and coordinated attacks on military posts across the country. The statement, delivered through a video bulletin by army spokesperson Souleymane Dembele and broadcast on the national military television channel, revealed the scale of the response and the losses inflicted upon the attackers. Dembele emphasized that the enemy suffered “significant losses in every location where they engaged with the security and defence forces.” The visuals shown included images of fallen militants, seized weapons, motorbikes, and vehicles.

The attacks were claimed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group active in the Sahel region. According to JNIM, the assault was “coordinated and high-quality,” with the group claiming to have captured three military barracks and taken control of several military positions across the country.

Mali’s military confirmed that the attacks occurred in seven towns located in the central and western regions of the country. Specifically, the targeted areas included Diboli, located near the Senegalese border in western Mali, as well as the towns of Kayes and Sandere. Other locations hit by the attacks included Nioro du Sahel and Gogoui in the northwest, near the border with Mauritania, and the central towns of Molodo and Niono. All the locations were reportedly struck by shellfire, according to the army’s official statement.

These attacks bear similarities to previous operations carried out by JNIM and related groups in the region, particularly in Mali and neighboring Burkina Faso. These extremist groups have been known for their strategic and well-planned assaults on government and military targets.

Eyewitnesses and local political officials confirmed the impact of the attacks on residents. In the town of Kayes, one resident recounted waking up to the sound of intense gunfire and seeing smoke rising near the governor’s residence. Another resident described seeking shelter at home during the ongoing assault. A local politician reported on Facebook that the towns of Nioro, Sandare, and Gogui had all come under attack and that the region of Nioro was particularly shaken.

Since 2020, Mali has been under military rule following a coup, and the country has been locked in a prolonged conflict with various violent extremist groups linked to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIL/ISIS). In addition to battling insurgents, the Malian government continues to face instability from long-standing Tuareg-led rebellions in the northern part of the country.

The recent coordinated attacks highlight the persistent threat posed by militant groups despite ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. It also reflects the challenges Mali’s military faces in maintaining security across a vast and volatile territory. While the army claims a tactical victory in this latest clash, the broader conflict remains unresolved, with insurgent groups maintaining the capacity to launch widespread, deadly attacks across the region.