Early on Tuesday, September 17, Mali’s capital, Bamako, experienced a significant terrorist attack orchestrated by the Al-Qaeda affiliate group, JNIM. The assault targeted both the Faladié gendarme school and the military base located near the Modibo Keita Senou airport. According to reports from the Associated Press, the attack resulted in fatalities among students and soldiers, with the situation brought under control later in the day.
General Oumar Diarra, the army chief of staff, visited the affected camp and delivered a message to the Malian people. He emphasized that the attack was deliberate and aimed at causing division among Malians. General Diarra urged the public to resist attempts to pit them against each other and called for unity. “I’m telling the Malian people that this attack was done on purpose. We’re all Malians and mustn’t let people pit us against each other, so we must avoid amalgams,” he stated.
The General also appealed for public cooperation in the investigation, encouraging residents to provide information to the authorities. “I’m asking the population to provide information. I think their support has been very substantial, allowing us to pick up suspects here and there. The investigations are ongoing,” he added.
The militant group JNIM released a video claiming responsibility for the attack, showing footage of fighters setting fire to a presidential plane and a pavilion near the airport in Bamako. In response, the army conducted a security sweep of the area after successfully repelling the gunmen. At least 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.
The national broadcaster ORTM 1 reported that “all the terrorists” involved in the raid on the school were “neutralized.” However, details on the extent of material damage were not fully disclosed, though an official speaking anonymously confirmed that there was “material damage.”
This attack marks the first such incident in Bamako in several years, reflecting a disturbing trend as terror groups continue to exert pressure on Mali’s military. It occurs just days before Mali’s Independence Day on September 22, adding a layer of tension to the national celebrations.
Previously, in 2022, gunmen targeted a Malian army checkpoint about 60 kilometers outside Bamako, resulting in at least six deaths and several injuries. Another notable incident occurred in 2015 when an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group attacked a hotel in Bamako, killing at least 20 people, including one American.
