Twin attacks on military bases in Timbuktu and Boulkessi have left dozens of Malian soldiers dead and at least a dozen assailants killed, officials and security sources said Monday, as the country grapples with renewed insurgent violence.
The violence points to the worsening security situation in junta-led Mali, where jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group remain active.
Here’s what we know so far.
What happened at the Timbuktu army base and airport?
On Monday morning, around 10:00 am, armed fighters attempted to infiltrate a Malian army camp in the northern city of Timbuktu, according to a statement from the army’s general staff. The army said 14 attackers were “neutralised”, and 31 others were arrested.
The attackers reportedly fired shells at the nearby airport, where Russian personnel are stationed, but did not directly storm the facility. Residents and officials said heavy gunfire was heard, and UN personnel were instructed to take shelter.
According to a local official, the assault began with a vehicle packed with explosives detonated near the military camp, followed by exchanges of fire in and around the city. A security source described the situation as volatile, saying, “It’s hot everywhere.”
What do we know about the Boulkessi attack in central Mali?
The deadlier of the two attacks took place a day earlier, on Sunday, at the Boulkessi army base in central Mali, near the border with Burkina Faso. At least 30 soldiers were confirmed dead, though officials and media reports suggest the toll could be much higher, possibly reaching 60 casualties, including the dead, missing, and those taken hostage.
In a statement issued Sunday night, the army acknowledged that troops had “responded vigorously” to the attack before being forced to withdraw. The military said “many men fought, some until their last breath,” and follow-up operations “destroyed several terrorists grouped in places of retreat.”
Security sources indicated the attack bore the hallmarks of jihadist groups operating in the region.
Who is responsible for the Mali twin attacks?
While no group has officially claimed responsibility, the attacks are consistent with the tactics used by jihadist factions linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, who have been active in Mali since 2012.
Timbuktu, once a centre of Islamic scholarship, was under jihadist control for several months in 2012 before being retaken in 2013 with French military support. During their occupation, militants destroyed several historic shrines they deemed idolatrous.
Since the 2020 and 2021 coups, Mali’s military rulers have cut ties with France and turned to Russia for military assistance, including cooperation with the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary force. Both jihadist groups and Malian forces— often working with Wagner— have been accused of abuses against civilians in ongoing operations.
These latest attacks highlight the ongoing fragility of Mali’s security and the growing challenge of defending territory in the face of persistent insurgent threats, despite efforts by the military and its foreign partners to stabilise the country.