Al-Qaeda-Linked Group Claims Responsibility for Bamako Attack

Conflicts Politics John Brightwater September 19, 2024

Al-Qaeda-Linked Group Claims Responsibility for Bamako Attack

Summary
An al-Qaeda-affiliated group has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a military training facility and other locations in Bamako, Mali. The assault resulted in injuries to security personnel and prompted a temporary lockdown of the capital’s airport. The situation reflects the ongoing insurgency and security challenges in Mali despite military interventions and changes in foreign partnerships.

An al-Qaeda-affiliated group has claimed responsibility for a coordinated attack that occurred in Bamako, the capital of Mali, early on Tuesday morning. Reports indicate that assailants targeted a military training facility and several other locations in the city. The Malian army classified the attackers as “terrorists” and stated that despite initial reports of gunfire near the airport, the situation was ultimately brought under control. The group that asserted its role in the attack, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), has been a prominent player in the militant Islamist insurgency that has prevailed in Mali for over a decade. JNIM has executed multiple assaults across the Sahel region, including nations such as Burkina Faso and Niger. In a statement, the group claimed that its operations effectively struck both the military training center and Bamako’s military airport, suggesting substantial casualties and damage. However, the army did not acknowledge any significant losses, citing that a faction of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Faladie gendarmerie school. Furthermore, the ministry of security reported that several “sensitive points” were targeted during the dawn assault. According to unnamed security personnel speaking to AFP, at least two members of the security forces sustained injuries during the incident. In the aftermath, Mali’s state television aired visuals showing approximately twenty blindfolded and bound individuals, alongside claims from Army Chief of Staff Oumar Diarra that “the terrorists have been neutralised. The sweep is continuing.” He notably refrained from confirming the alleged assault on the military airport, a claim made by JNIM. Following the attack, there were reports of significant smoke rising from various locations in Bamako, prompting members of the public en route to morning prayers to turn back. In response to the turmoil, Bamako’s Modibo Keita International Airport was shut down, and international entities, including the United Nations, advised their personnel to limit movement temporarily. This incident underscores the challenges faced by the Malian military, which took power through a coup in 2021, accusing preceding governments of ineffective responses to the escalating insurgency. Despite expelling French forces and UN peacekeepers, and bringing in Russian military assistance, the security landscape remains precarious and unstable.

The ongoing insurgency in Mali has persisted for over ten years, primarily fueled by various extremist groups, including JNIM, which is linked to al-Qaeda. The situation in the Sahel region, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has deteriorated significantly, leading to increased violence and instability. The Malian military’s efforts to combat these threats have included a shift in foreign partnerships, notably moving away from traditional allies like France and the UN. In 2021, a military coup resulted in new leadership prioritizing aggressive measures against insurgent groups. Nevertheless, these efforts have yet to yield an end to hostilities, as shown by the recent attack in Bamako, which demonstrates the persistent threat of terrorism in the region.

The attack in Bamako, attributed to the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin, highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by Mali amidst a decade-long insurgency. While the military claims to have regained control following the incident, the claims of heavy damage made by the assailants reveal a stark contrast in narratives surrounding the event. The continuous violence in Mali not only threatens local stability but also affects broader regional security in the Sahel.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com