Mali is once again in mourning, following a series of terrorist attacks claimed by the Al-Qaeda affiliated group, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (Jnim). These attacks, which occurred earlier this week, targeted both military installations and civilians in different regions of the country.
The first assault took place at the Bamba military camp, in the Gao region, followed by an attack on a boat in the Rharous circle, near Timbuktu. The provisional death toll shows at least 64 deaths, but authorities expect it to be much higher.
Jnim, which has been blockading the city of Timbuktu for more than a month, also claimed responsibility for an operation against the Russian armed support group Wagner, which collaborates with the Malian army. These attacks are in addition to a series of terrorist incidents that have occurred in recent weeks in the regions of Mopti, Bandiagara and Ségou, demonstrating the growing activity of jihadist groups in the country.
The situation at the Gao regional hospital is critical, with an influx of injured people requiring urgent medical treatment. Civil society actors mobilized to organize a blood donation campaign to meet the needs of the hospital. Despite the worrying situation in the region, the population responds massively to the call and goes to the hospital to donate blood.
These attacks of unprecedented scale and complexity take place in a context of gradual withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (Minusma). The Blue Helmets are gradually withdrawing from the country, leaving the Malian army to take over in the fight against terrorism. This transition is associated with a period of increased vulnerability, exploited by terrorist groups to intensify their attacks.
The transitional authorities have made the fight against terrorism one of their priorities, and the Malian army is organizing to occupy the positions left vacant by Minusma. However, it is clear that the situation remains worrying and requires a coordinated and strengthened response from the international community.
Mali is facing a deep security crisis, exacerbated by recurring terrorist attacks and the presence of jihadist groups active on its territory. Regional and international cooperation is essential to support the country in its fight against terrorism and to promote stability and sustainable development.
It is crucial not to lose sight of the urgency of the situation in Mali and to continue to inform the public about ongoing developments. Terrorist attacks have devastating consequences for local populations and threaten the stability of the entire region. It is time to act and support Mali in its fight against terrorism.