Al-Qaeda-linked Group JNIM Claims Responsibility for Attack in Mali’s Capital, Bamako

In a significant escalation of the insurgency in Mali, the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, claimed responsibility for an early morning attack on Tuesday in Bamako, the country’s capital. Armed militants targeted a military training school and the Modibo Keita International Airport, marking the first such assault in Bamako in several years.

According to the authorities, the attackers attempted to infiltrate the Faladie military training school, engaging in gun battles with government forces. General Oumar Diarra, the army’s chief-of-staff, stated that the attackers were “neutralised,” but the military sustained some losses, including trainees from the gendarme academy. Though the Malian government did not specify the number of casualties, local reports indicated several soldiers had been killed or injured.

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JNIM, which operates extensively across the Sahel, claimed it inflicted “heavy human and material losses” in what it described as a “special operation.” Videos shared by the group showed militants setting fire to a military aircraft and engaging in combat near the Bamako military airport. Although these claims have not been independently verified, witnesses reported hearing heavy gunfire and seeing smoke rising from the airport.

Following the attack, Bamako’s airport was temporarily closed, and international organisations, including the UN, advised their staff to restrict movements. While normalcy has been restored, with the government claiming control of the situation, the rare strike in the capital highlights the insurgency’s ability to operate beyond its usual strongholds in northern and central Mali.

Mali has been grappling with jihadist violence for over a decade, with militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State exploiting the instability in the region. The insurgency has led to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions across the Sahel. Despite the military junta’s promises to improve security, the attacks have intensified, even as the government has replaced Western allies like France with Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group.

JNIM’s Attack Strategy and Rising Conflict Tuesday’s assault in Bamako marks a bold move by JNIM, which has typically concentrated its operations in rural areas far from the capital. Analysts believe this attack aims to demonstrate the group’s capacity to strike in urban centers and challenge the Malian government’s claims of improved security.

The Wagner Group, which has been aiding Mali’s military in the fight against jihadists, has also faced heavy losses in recent confrontations with JNIM and other militant factions. In July, a convoy of Wagner mercenaries was ambushed near the Algerian border, resulting in the deaths of around 50 Russian fighters.

Background of JNIM JNIM, formed in 2017, is one of the most active militant groups in the Sahel, staging numerous attacks across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. It was created through the merger of several jihadist factions in the region and remains aligned with al-Qaeda. The group has been responsible for large-scale attacks on military and civilian targets alike, contributing to the deteriorating security situation in the region.

Mali has been under military rule since the 2021 coup, with the junta expelling French troops and the UN peacekeeping mission. Despite promises of improving security, the violence has escalated, raising concerns about the country’s ability to counter the insurgency effectively.