An attack was reported against a building of the Malian Gendarmerie in the capital, Bamako

The Army assures that the situation “is under control”, and for now there is no claim of responsibility

17 (EUROPA PRESS)

Malian authorities confirmed on Tuesday that a “group of terrorists” attacked the Gendarmerie School in the capital, Bamako, and stressed that the situation “is under control,” hours after the city was shaken by several explosions and shootings.

The Malian Armed Forces said in a statement posted on their Facebook account that “a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Gendarmerie School in Faladié early this morning.” “Operations are underway throughout the area,” they added.

“The situation is under control. We urge residents of the area to remain calm and follow the instructions of the security forces,” they stressed, while urging Malians not to approach the area and applauding the “rapid reaction” of the military.

The statement was issued following reports of a double assault on the building in question and on the Senou military camp, located near Bamako airport, where Africa Corps mercenaries – formerly known as the Wagner Group – sent by Moscow to support the junta in its fight against jihadist groups, are deployed.

The attack would be the first major attack on Bamako since November 2015, when 20 people were killed during a hostage-taking by the jihadist group Al Murabitun — linked to Al Qaeda — at the Radisson Blue hotel. Just a few months earlier, five people were killed in an attack on a restaurant.

However, a military base located about 15 kilometres from the capital was targeted in July 2022, in an attack carried out by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a branch of Al Qaeda in the Sahel. The junta leader, Assimi Goita, resided at the facility, so it was considered a significant blow, amid the approach of jihadist attacks on the capital.

The country is currently ruled by a military junta following 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.