Al Qaeda’s Sahel branch claims responsibility for attacks in Mali’s capital Bamako

The group claims to have caused “heavy losses” in its attacks on a military base and a Gendarmerie training centre

September 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a branch of Al Qaeda in the Sahel, claimed responsibility for the attacks in the Malian capital, Bamako, on Tuesday, saying that they had resulted in “heavy losses.” The authorities have not yet commented on possible victims.

The group said in a statement published through its propaganda channels that it had carried out “a qualitative operation” against a military base located near the airport and a “training facility” of the Malian Gendarmerie.

The US said the attacks had resulted in “great losses of life and equipment” and “the destruction of several combat aircraft”, without commenting on casualties in its ranks or specifying how many terrorists had been involved in the attacks.

Mali’s armed forces have said that “a group of terrorists” has carried out an attack on the Gendarmerie School in Bamako and stressed that the situation “is under control”, hours after the city was shaken by several explosions and shootings. “Operations are underway throughout the area,” they added.

Shortly afterwards, the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection said in a statement that “sensitive points” in the capital “have been the target of terrorist attacks”, before stressing that the Gendarmerie School in Faladié was among them. However, it did not comment on the information gathered by the media about an attack on the Senou military camp, located near Bamako airport, where mercenaries from the Africa Corps – formerly known as the Wagner Group – are deployed.

The attack is the first major attack on Bamako since November 2015, when 20 people were killed during an assault by Al-Murabitoun – linked to Al-Qaeda – on a hotel. However, a military base located about 15 kilometres from the capital was targeted in July 2022, an attack carried out by JNIM. The junta leader Assimi Goita resided on the premises, so it was considered a significant blow, amid the approach of jihadist attacks on the capital.

The African country is currently ruled by a military junta installed after coups in August 2020 and May 2021, both led by Goita, the current transitional president, who has been rapprochement with Russia while distancing himself from both France and Western governments.