Deadly jihadist assault leaves 10 soldiers dead in Mali’s San
Deadly jihadist assault leaves 10 soldiers dead in Mali’s San
At least ten soldiers lost their lives in an early morning attack on a military base in San, central Mali, carried out by jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). Local security sources confirmed the casualties while acknowledging ongoing assessments of the situation. «We sustained losses, but our forces have reclaimed control of the base,» a military spokesperson stated.
- Terrorism
Residents recounted intense clashes that began just before dawn. «It was a terrorist attack that started around 5:00 AM. We heard heavy gunfire and explosions nonstop,» a local resident shared. The Malian army, however, described the incident as an unsuccessful attempt to breach their San base. In an official statement, military leadership confirmed a «strong counterattack by FAMa forces» that «repelled the assault» and declared the situation «under control.»
JNIM claims responsibility for the deadly raid
The JNIM, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition, asserted responsibility for the operation, asserting they had «fully seized a Malian army barracks in San» in the Ségou region. This follows a devastating attack on July 18, when at least 50 soldiers were killed in northern Mali after their convoy was ambushed by a combined force of JNIM fighters and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). That assault remains one of the deadliest strikes against the Malian military since the conflict escalated.
Mali has grappled with a severe security crisis since 2012, driven by violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaïda and the so-called Islamic State, as well as community-based criminal gangs and Tuareg separatist movements. The turmoil has deepened an existing economic crisis. Following two military coups in 2020 and 2021, the country is now governed by a junta that promised to restore peace and protect Mali’s territorial sovereignty.
