AFP news agency reported that an estimated 77 people were killed in an attack on Mali’s capital, Bamako. The attack, which took place on Tuesday, also left around 200 people injured, overwhelming hospitals with wounded patients. Gunshots and explosions were reported by residents, with smoke seen emanating from buildings. Malian authorities closed the Modibo Keita International Airport following the attack. The military government initially downplayed the incident, stating that the situation was under control and the attack had been repelled. However, officials later admitted that the military had suffered casualties. Videos posted by the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) showed the assault on social media platforms. The group claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted an elite military police training school and a military base near the airport. The attack is significant as it marks a rare high-profile incident in Bamako, with violence typically concentrated in other parts of the country. Previous attacks in the city occurred in 2015, carried out by the al-Mourabitoun group. The region has been plagued by violence from various armed groups, leading to French and UN military interventions. The recent attack underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Mali and its neighboring countries.
