
Mali is facing a resurgence of attacks from an al-Qaeda affiliate, signaling a growing security crisis in the West African nation.
The attacks, targeting Malian army bases, highlight the junta’s ongoing struggles to contain the escalating jihadist threat.
The attacks are primarily attributed to the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), al-Qaeda’s main branch in the Sahel region.
JNIM has claimed responsibility for several recent assaults, demonstrating a strategic capability to strike military targets.
The attacks have resulted in casualties among both Malian soldiers and the attackers themselves, though precise figures remain disputed.
The junta, which seized power in a 2020 coup, is grappling with multiple challenges, including instability and international isolation.
France, a key ally in the fight against jihadism in the Sahel, has withdrawn its forces, leaving the Malian army more vulnerable.
The departure of French forces has created a security vacuum, potentially exploited by extremist groups like JNIM.
The Malian government has turned to Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group to assist in combating the insurgency, a move that has drawn international criticism and complicated the situation.