An al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for two deadly attacks targeting the Malian army in the towns of Boulikessi and Timbuktu, in what appears to be an escalation of violence in the troubled Sahel region.
According to reports from the Reuters news agency, more than 30 Malian soldiers were killed in Sunday’s attack on an army base in Boulikessi, located near the Burkina Faso border. While the casualty figure has yet to be confirmed by official sources, local accounts suggest that JNIM fighters overwhelmed the base, leaving many dead and seizing control of the facility.
In a statement following the assault, the Malian military said it “reacted vigorously” before “withdrawing” — implying a tactical retreat under pressure. The army paid tribute to its fallen soldiers, stating that “many men fought, some until their last breath, to defend the Malian nation.”
The violence continued into Monday when JNIM claimed to have launched another coordinated assault, this time in the historic city of Timbuktu. Residents reported hearing sustained gunfire and multiple explosions. The militant group said it targeted a military airport and engaged with both Malian forces and Russian mercenaries, who have reportedly been assisting the government.
Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, had previously fallen to Islamist control in 2012 before being retaken. However, it remains vulnerable, with militant activity persisting in the region.
These attacks mark the latest indication of worsening insecurity in Mali and the broader Sahel. The United States Africa Command (Africom) recently warned of increased efforts by jihadist groups to gain access to West Africa’s coastal regions a move that would significantly enhance their ability to smuggle weapons and finance their operations.
General Michael Langley, Africom’s commander, expressed concern during a Friday press briefing, highlighting the growing coordination between jihadist factions operating across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria.
According to Reuters, militant violence has claimed the lives of over 400 soldiers across the region since the beginning of last month, underscoring the dire security challenges facing the Sahel.
