An al-Qaeda linked group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the Malian town of Boulikessi, resulting in the seizure of an army base. According to sources quoted by Reuters, more than 30 soldiers were killed in the attack, although this figure has not been confirmed by authorities. In response to the attack, Mali’s army said it “reacted vigorously” before “withdrawing” – suggesting a tactical retreat. “Many men fought, some until their last breath, to defend the Malian nation,” the army statement added.
The JNIM group further claimed to have targeted the military in the historic city of Timbuktu, with residents reporting gunfire and explosions. Mali’s army stated that it repelled an “infiltration attempt by terrorist fighters” in Timbuktu, “neutralising” 14 militants and arresting 31 suspects. The army also seized weapons, vehicles, and other items, but did not specify the group responsible for the attack.³
A local source told Reuters that JNIM had left many casualties and “cleared the camp”. Unverified video footage showed dozens of militants storming the base and stepping on bodies. In the Timbuktu attack, JNIM claimed its fighters targeted a military airport and Russian mercenaries. Military sources reported that militants were “everywhere in the city” and that they were “fighting back”. A local official stated that attackers arrived “with a vehicle packed with explosives” that detonated near the army camp.
The attacks are part of a larger trend of escalating violence in the Sahel region. According to the United States Africa Command, various Islamist militant groups operating in the Sahel are attempting to gain access to West Africa’s coastline, which would boost their capacity for smuggling and arms trafficking. Gen Michael Langley, commander of United States Africa Command, described recent attacks in Nigeria, the Sahel, and Lake Chad Basin as “deeply troubling”. It’s estimated that over 400 soldiers have been killed by militants in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since last month.
Timbuktu, a UN World Heritage Site, has been under siege in recent years, having previously been captured by Islamist militants in 2012 before being driven out. The ongoing instability highlights the need for continued efforts to combat terrorism in the region.