On Thursday, security sources confirmed that more than 70 people were killed and around 200 injured in Tuesday’s coordinated attacks on a military police training camp and the airport in Bamako, Mali’s capital. This assault, one of the most lethal the country has witnessed in recent years, has raised serious concerns about the ruling junta’s approach to handling security threats.
The attacks were claimed by the al-Qaida-linked Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM). Fighters from the group targeted both the military police center and a section of the airport used for military operations, causing significant damage and destruction, including the loss of aircraft. Gunfire and explosions were reported in the early morning hours, lasting several hours as militants stormed through the areas, firing indiscriminately.
This violent escalation has sent shockwaves throughout Mali, with citizens expressing widespread anger and frustration. Many Malians took to social media to demand answers from the authorities, accusing the junta of failing to address the rising insecurity despite repeated assurances that the situation was under control. The attack has not only exposed critical vulnerabilities in Mali’s defense but has also shaken public confidence in the junta’s ability to secure the country.
The official death toll stands at 77, with 255 others wounded, but other reports suggest the number of casualties could be higher, with an estimated 100 people killed and 81 victims identified. The military acknowledged that personnel were lost in the attack, particularly at the military police center, but has yet to provide detailed information on what actions will be taken in response.
On Thursday, widespread condemnation emerged from various leaders, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Senegalese officials, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the U.K. Embassy. The French Embassy in Bamako also extended its condolences to the Malian government. Jean-Herve Jezequel, Sahel project director at the International Crisis Group, suggested that the jihadists might be trying to convey a message to the Malian authorities by demonstrating their ability to strike anywhere, emphasizing that major cities must also be safeguarded. He posited that the goal could be to compel the government to focus its resources in urban areas, potentially resulting in fewer troops in rural regions where these jihadist groups have established strongholds.
The attack came just one day after Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso marked the one-year anniversary of the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States, a breakaway regional grouping formed by the military juntas in the three nations. Since their respective coups, these countries have distanced themselves from their former colonial ruler, France, and shifted their alliances toward new partners, including Russia. Despite efforts to strengthen regional security through the alliance, Tuesday’s attack underscores the ongoing instability in Mali and raises doubts about the junta’s military strategy.
For years, Mali has been plagued by insurgent groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State, particularly in its northern and central regions. Bamako, however, has largely remained insulated from such violence. Tuesday’s attack, marked by volleys of gunfire and explosives, is the first of its kind in the capital in years, and it represents a major escalation of the militant threat in the country.
Amidst significant restrictions on freedom of expression under the junta, very few public figures in Mali have openly criticized the perceived security failures. This incident has put the junta under intense pressure as the public calls for immediate action to restore security. While no clear plan has been announced in response to the attack, the ruling government is facing increasing demands to address the growing insurgent threat and reassure the population of its ability to protect the nation.
