Summary
Mali’s government confirmed that the capital, Bamako, is under control after an early morning attack by insurgents targeting a gendarmerie training school. The military reported successful repulsion of the attackers and urged residents to remain calm. Gunfire was heard in multiple neighborhoods, with the airport temporarily closed as a security measure. The ongoing Islamist insurgency poses significant challenges for Mali’s stability, despite recent military government’s attempts to improve security with Russian support.

On Tuesday, the Malian government announced that the capital, Bamako, remains securely under control following a militant attack on a gendarmerie training facility and other locales at dawn. Gunfire resonated throughout the city as the assault unfolded. The military reported, “Early this morning, a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Faladie gendarmerie school. Mopping-up operations are currently under way.” Residents were advised to steer clear of the affected areas until further notice from the authorities. The attack targeted key locations within the capital, particularly the gendarmerie school, located in the Faladie district on the southeastern outskirts of Bamako, adjacent to the main international airport. Gunfire was first detected around 0530 GMT, with witnesses in the Banankabougou neighborhood near Faladie recounting their experience of hearing shots before dawn. Many individuals en route to morning prayers were forced to retreat due to the violence. Despite the unsettling events, the military declared that they successfully repelled the attackers, deemed “terrorists,” and urged civilians to continue with their regular activities. Concurrently, a security source confirmed that the airport had temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. Mali, alongside several Western African nations, has been grappling with an Islamist insurgency that originated in its northern region back in 2012 and has since expanded into the entirety of the Sahel and reached coastal areas. This protracted conflict has resulted in countless deaths and millions of individuals being displaced across the region, with some militants linked to notorious terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Public discontent towards the government for its inability to establish security contributed to two coups in Mali during 2020 and 2021, with similar upheavals occurring in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. Despite commitments from military leaders to better the security landscape—replacing Western partnerships with support from Russian entities including mercenaries from the Wagner Group—jihadist attacks have persisted. Such attacks inside the capital are infrequent, with the last significant incident being in 2015 when armed assailants targeted the Radisson Blu hotel, resulting in 20 fatalities.

Mali has been facing an ongoing Islamist insurgency since 2012, primarily rooted in the northern region of the country. The conflict has grown to encompass the wider Sahel region, affecting several West African nations and leading to widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life. The Malian government’s inability to restore peace and security has bred public frustration, culminating in military coups and governmental changes. Recent alliances with Russian forces, including the Wagner Group, have been promoted as an alternative to former partnerships with Western countries; however, this shift has not curb the increasing frequency of jihadist attacks within urban centers such as Bamako.

In summary, the Malian authorities have declared that Bamako is secure following an insurgent attack on a gendarmerie school and nearby areas. The military’s application of decisive measures has pushed back the attackers, assuring the public that they may continue their daily routines. Nevertheless, the enduring reality of an Islamist insurrection continues to plague Mali and surrounding nations, raising concerns about the efficacy of existing counter-terrorism strategies amidst shifting geopolitical alliances.

Original Source: www.bignewsnetwork.com

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