An al-Qaeda-affiliated group claimed responsibility for a brazen early morning assault in Bamako, the capital of Mali. Armed individuals targeted a military training facility and several other locations within the city, prompting military officials to label the attackers as “terrorists.”
Residents reported the sound of gunfire echoing throughout the area on Tuesday morning. The military indicated that the attackers struck close to the airport, although they assured the public that the situation is now “under control.”
The jihadist faction, known for its militant Islamist insurgency in Mali that has persisted for over a decade, announced that their “special operation” resulted in significant human and material losses.
This faction is considered one of the most active militant groups in the Sahel region, responsible for multiple attacks across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. According to military sources, the assailants attempted to breach the Faladie gendarmerie school as part of a coordinated attack on vulnerable “sensitive points” at dawn.
While no official details about casualties have been released, sources within the security forces reported injuries sustained during the attack. In a statement, the security ministry reassured residents that they could continue their daily activities without concern. However, international organizations, including the United Nations, have reportedly cautioned their personnel to limit movement in the area.
Videos circulating on social media captured ominous black smoke rising from locations in Bamako, while worshippers heading to morning prayers were forced to retreat amid the chaos. Following the violence, operations at Bamako’s Modibo Keita International Airport have been suspended.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of a military coup in 2021, during which the ruling forces criticized the former government for its inadequate response to the ongoing insurgency. The military had since expelled French troops and UN peacekeepers, opting for partnership with a private security group from Russia to counter the jihadist threat, yet the insurgency shows no signs of abating.
