Mali’s armed forces (FAMa) have launched countermeasures after a deadly ambush believed to be carried out by the extremist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in response to a surge in jihadist violence.
The incident occurred in Wabaria, in the northern Gao region, and comes amid a broader wave of insecurity sweeping the country.
According to a statement from Mali’s military command on Sunday, troops “forcefully repelled” the attack and have since regained control of the area. Several militants were reportedly killed and their equipment confiscated.
Security operations remain ongoing in the region. Just two days earlier, JNIM claimed responsibility for another attack targeting a Malian military convoy and their Russian paramilitary allies in Tenenkou, located in central Mali.
The army confirmed the assault but insisted its units are still operating actively in the region.
