Al-Qaida Affiliate Strikes Mali Army Bases Amid Growing Sahel Unrest

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

An al-Qaida-affiliated militant group has carried out multiple attacks on Malian army positions, intensifying concerns over the junta’s ability to contain jihadist violence across the country and the broader Sahel region.

A vehicle packed with explosives detonated near a military base in Timbuktu on Monday, with ongoing gunfire reported by local officials and residents. The attack, launched by Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), follows another assault claimed by the group on Sunday at a military outpost in Boulkessi, near the Burkina Faso border. Preliminary reports suggest up to 30 Malian soldiers were killed, though official casualty figures remain unconfirmed.

Mali has been grappling with a complex insurgency since 2012, led by extremist groups such as JNIM and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). Despite the junta’s 2020 takeover—justified by promises to restore national security—attacks have intensified, with militants expanding operations across the Liptako-Gourma tri-border area linking Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

In response to persistent insecurity, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger exited the ECOWAS regional bloc in January 2025 to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), aimed at improving joint military coordination. Nonetheless, over 400 soldiers have reportedly been killed since May in attacks across the three countries, highlighting the urgency and scale of the crisis.

Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com