MALI JUNTA SUFFERS MAJOR BLOW AS MILITANTS ATTACK BAMAKO, KILLING MORE THAN 70

Fri 20 September 2024:

In one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, a jihadist assault in Bamako, the capital of Mali, has left more than 70 dead and over 200 wounded. The attack, which took place at a military police training camp and nearby airport on Tuesday, was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM). This marks a rare and severe strike on the city, which has been relatively spared from the violence plaguing other regions of the country.

A group linked to al-Qaeda has released video of gunmen attacking Mali’s main airport, followed by vigilante revenge attacks in the capital. pic.twitter.com/6ifZOeEPm9

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) September 18, 2024

Security Strategy Under Fire
The high death toll has put a spotlight on the ruling military junta’s approach to security. Despite claims that the situation is under control, jihadist groups have been active in the region for years. The incident has sparked outrage, with many Malians taking to social media to demand accountability for what they view as a major security failure.

Details of the Attack
A security source revealed that 77 people were killed and 255 were wounded in the coordinated assault. An official document, however, listed the toll closer to 100, including 81 identified victims. The attack targeted a military police training center and parts of the airport complex. JNIM fighters were seen firing into the windows of the presidential hangar and destroying aircraft in the military facility.

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Growing Jihadist Threat in Mali
Bamako has largely avoided the near-daily attacks seen in other parts of Mali, which has been ravaged by violence from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State since 2012. Jean-Herve Jezequel of the International Crisis Group suggested that the attack could be a message to the Malian authorities, showing that even major cities are vulnerable and prompting a need to divert resources from rural areas where jihadists have established strongholds.

Regional Instability and International Response
The attack comes just one day after the first anniversary of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed by junta-led Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. These countries have distanced themselves from France and increasingly aligned with Russia for military and political support. The incident underscores the ongoing instability in the region and the challenges in countering the growing influence of jihadist factions.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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