Mali – Suspected jihadist militants launched a coordinated assault on multiple military installations in western Mali early Tuesday, intensifying concerns about worsening insecurity across the Sahel region.
According to Mali’s military, seven of its army positions were simultaneously attacked in what authorities described as "coordinated attacks carried out very early this morning." Although the army has not released a casualty figure, the scope and scale of the incident underscore a troubling escalation.
Residents in several towns, including Kayes, Nioro, Sandaré, Gogui, and border town Diboli, confirmed heavy gunfire, explosions, and visible plumes of smoke. "We woke up in shock this morning. There’s gunfire, and from my house I can see smoke billowing towards the governor’s residence," said a resident of Kayes.
A military source said the first explosion appeared to come from near the governor’s home, followed by intense gunfire directed at a military camp. Another local official wrote that "the region of Nioro woke up in shock," describing the fear that gripped civilians as the attacks unfolded.
While no group has yet claimed responsibility, the pattern of the assault points to the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a jihadist coalition that has previously targeted Malian forces and has recently increased its footprint in the region.
A study by the Timbuktu Institute, a Dakar-based research centre, suggests JNIM is actively seeking to expand its operations into Senegal and Mauritania, using western Mali as a staging ground.
The attacks follow two major jihadist offensives earlier last month. On June 1, at least 30 Malian soldiers were killed in central Mali, and the next day, a joint strike hit both a military camp and the airport in Timbuktu.
This resurgence of jihadist activity comes despite repeated assurances from the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all of whom rose to power on promises to restore security. Yet, jihadist networks remain entrenched and increasingly emboldened.
The Malian military said it is closely monitoring the situation and promised to release further details. In the meantime, residents in affected towns remain fearful as uncertainty grips the region once again.
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