Attack in Mali by Al-Qaeda-linked group leaves over 70 dead

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A deadly attack by an al-Qaeda-linked group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM), on an elite police training academy and nearby airport in Mali’s capital, Bamako, earlier this week, has claimed the lives of more than 70 people, according to diplomatic and security sources. The attack, one of the worst in over a decade, left 77 dead and 255 injured, with reports indicating the number could be higher. JNIM fighters targeted the academy, the airport, and the presidential hangar, with videos showing aircraft being destroyed.

Mali’s government, which has been battling insurgency since 2012, is facing heightened pressure following the withdrawal of French troops and the reliance on Russian mercenaries for security. JNIM claimed responsibility, stating they targeted Malian forces and members of the Russian Wagner Group. A humanitarian plane used by the World Food Programme (WFP) was damaged, further limiting aid efforts.

The attack drew widespread condemnation, including from the United Nations and neighboring countries, with analysts suggesting JNIM’s goal is to stretch the government’s resources, forcing a greater military presence in urban areas.