A brutal attack in Mali’s capital city of Bamako has left 77 people dead and about 200 injured, overwhelming hospitals with wounded patients. The attack targeted military bases and an elite military police training school, with gunshots and explosions reported by residents, as well as smoke from apparent fires. The military government initially downplayed the incident but later admitted to suffering casualties.
The attack was claimed by the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), with videos showing JNIM fighters setting government aircraft on fire and targeting a United Nations aid plane. The assault lasted for about nine hours, resulting in numerous casualties among Malian soldiers and Russian fighters from Wagner mercenaries. The attack is significant as it marks a high-profile assault on Bamako, which has not experienced such attacks in years.
Mali has been plagued by violence from armed groups, including JNIM and the ISIS affiliate ISGS, targeting northern and central regions of the country. The attack in Bamako underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by the nation, despite efforts by French forces and the UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) to counter armed groups. The recent attack highlights the complexity of the security situation in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with increasing levels of violence and civilian casualties across the region.
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