Mali Army Says 80 Fighters Killed Following al-Qaeda Linked Attacks

 

Mali’s army has announced the killing of 80 fighters in response to a wave of coordinated attacks launched by an al-Qaeda affiliate across several regions of the country. The armed forces said the attacks occurred in seven towns in central and western Mali and were carried out by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a group linked to al-Qaeda. The group claimed responsibility for what it described as “coordinated and high-quality attacks,” asserting it had taken control of three barracks and dozens of military positions.

In a video statement aired on the military’s television channel, army spokesperson Souleymane Dembele stated that the enemy suffered “significant losses” during the engagements. The broadcast showed images of fallen fighters, along with seized weapons, motorbikes, and vehicles. According to the military, the assaults targeted Diboli, Kayes, and Sandere in western Mali near the border with Senegal, as well as Nioro du Sahel and Gogoui near the Mauritanian border, and Molodo and Niono in the central region. All were reportedly struck by shellfire.

Eyewitnesses and local officials confirmed the attacks in at least four towns. A resident in Kayes described waking up to heavy gunfire and seeing smoke rising near the governor’s residence, calling the situation “intense.” Another reported sheltering at home during the assault. A local politician from Nioro wrote on Facebook that the region was “in shock” after being hit alongside neighboring towns Sandere and Gogoui.

Mali has been battling armed groups linked to both al-Qaeda and ISIL for over a decade. Since the military took power in 2020, the country has faced continued insurgency threats while also dealing with long-standing Tuareg rebellions in the north.

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