A tragic attack on Mali’s capital, Bamako, has left 77 people dead and about 200 others injured, overwhelming hospitals with wounded patients. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, involved armed group members attacking an elite military police training school and a military base near the airport. Mali’s military government initially downplayed the attack, but later admitted to suffering casualties. The al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, which lasted nine hours and resulted in damage to aircraft and the deaths of numerous soldiers and Russian fighters.
The attack is significant as it targeted military bases in Bamako, a city that has not experienced such high-profile violence in years. Armed groups like JNIM and ISGS have previously concentrated their activities in northern and central Mali, far from the capital. The recent attack underscores the ongoing challenges posed by armed groups in the region, despite efforts by French forces and the UN to counter them. Mali’s military government, now supported by Russian Wagner forces, faces increasing violence and threats from various armed groups, including Tuareg rebels and ISIL affiliates.
The wider region, including Niger and Burkina Faso, is also experiencing escalating violence, with armed groups gaining control of significant territories. The military governments in these countries have severed ties with France and turned to Russian support to combat the growing security threats. The formation of the Alliance of Sahel States aims to coordinate efforts against armed groups with the assistance of Wagner fighters. However, the region continues to face destabilization and increased civilian casualties as violence persists.
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