The Malian Armed Forces have announced that they repelled a wave of coordinated jihadist attacks across multiple strategic locations in the west and center of the country, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers.
According to Colonel-Major Souleymane Dembélé, Director of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (Dirpa), more than 80 militants were killed during operations launched in response to the assaults, which targeted seven locations including Niono, Molodo, Sandaré, Kayes, Diboli, Nioro du Sahel, and Gogui.
The military also recovered weapons, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, and communication equipment.
The al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating it seized military positions in several towns and launched an artillery strike on the Molodo base.
The assault on Diboli, a town near the Senegalese border, raised particular concern due to intense fighting at customs and police posts less than two kilometers from Kidira in Senegal.
While the army did not disclose casualties among its forces or civilians, and JNIM has yet to release its own losses, unofficial sources report significant casualties.
Colonel-Major Dembélé commended the army’s resilience and urged the population to support the ongoing fight against terrorism.
