An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group claimed responsibility on Tuesday for a bold assault on a military airport and a training center in Bamako, marking one of the rare attacks to hit the Malian capital in recent years.
The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen group confirmed through its communication channels that a “special operation” was launched at dawn, targeting “the military airport and the training centre of the Malian gendarmes in the centre of the Malian capital.”
According to the jihadist group, the attack resulted in “huge human and material losses,” including the destruction of several military aircraft.
Earlier that day, Mali’s army reported a “foiled infiltration attempt” by what it described as “terrorists” into a military police base.
In a statement posted on social media, the military assured that “the situation is under control.”
“Early this morning, a group of terrorists tried to infiltrate the Faladie military police school,” the army announced. The security ministry confirmed the incident, stating that “terrorist attacks” had targeted “sensitive points of the capital,” including the military police school. Mali’s military authorities often refer to jihadists and northern separatists as “terrorists.”
The army is conducting search operations and urged the public to remain calm, avoid the affected area, and exercise caution.
Two members of the military police sustained injuries, according to both the authorities and their families.
While Bamako is typically spared from the near-daily assaults that plague other regions of the country, the city was jolted awake on Tuesday by the sound of gunfire and explosions, according to an AFP correspondent. Sporadic gunfire continued into the morning.
“This morning armed men attacked at least one military police base in Bamako. They have not been formally identified,” a police source told AFP on the condition of anonymity. Black smoke could be seen rising near the airport, adding to the tense atmosphere.
In response, Bamako airport was temporarily closed. “Bamako airport is temporarily closed due to events,” confirmed an airport official, though the duration of the closure remained unclear.
A witness recounted being stuck in a nearby mosque with fellow worshippers during early morning prayers, while Liberte, the French high school, announced it would remain closed due to the security situation.
The UN mission in Mali, MINUSMA, also reacted by sending a message to its personnel: “Gunshots heard in parts of Bamako. All UN personnel are to restrict movements until further notice.”
Mali has been wracked by violence since 2012, with various armed groups, including Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, self-proclaimed defense forces, and criminal bandits, wreaking havoc in the region. The conflict has also spilled over into neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Mali’s military government, led by Colonel Assimi Goita after two coups in 2020 and 2021, has distanced itself from its European allies, including former colonial power France, and has turned to Russia and the Wagner Group for military support. Last year, the junta ordered the withdrawal of MINUSMA and officially ended a 2015 peace accord with separatist groups.
Together with Burkina Faso and Niger, also under military rule, Mali formed a new Sahel alliance a year ago. All three countries have pledged to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States.
The security crisis in Mali continues to be compounded by political, economic, and humanitarian challenges, yet the military leaders have vowed to retake control of the entire country.
