The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) have reported successfully fending off an attempted incursion at a military base in the northern city of Timbuktu, as violent unrest continues to grip the wider Sahel region.
According to a statement from the military’s General Staff, thirteen attackers were neutralised in a swift counter-offensive that also resulted in the recovery of weapons and ammunition. The army added that ongoing search operations were underway in the surrounding area to ensure the perimeter remains secure.
Military sources said the assault began early in the morning, but was swiftly met with a response from specialised units. Provisional reports indicate no casualties among Malian troops during the confrontation.
A few hours later, the al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for multiple coordinated operations in the regions of Timbuktu and Kidal. Through its media outlet Az Zallaqa, the group said it had also targeted a military convoy on the Kidal–Anéfif route using an improvised explosive device (IED). The convoy was allegedly transporting Malian troops alongside suspected Russian operatives, possibly affiliated with the Wagner Group.
In addition to the Timbuktu incident, JNIM claimed a brief infiltration of the Asday military outpost located on the eastern outskirts of the city. While the Malian military has not confirmed the claim, it maintained that the area remains firmly under control, with heightened security patrols in place.
Meanwhile, in Mali’s central Douentza region, FAMa confirmed an assault on the Boulikessi military outpost. The army launched a counter-offensive backed by air support. Although losses were reported, the military commended the bravery of the soldiers involved, stating they had “fought to their last breath” in defence of their position.
These attacks are viewed as part of a broader campaign by jihadist factions to disrupt government supply routes, particularly in the wake of the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers under the MINUSMA mission.
