In central Mali, an ambush by Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists resulted in the death of at least 15 soldiers, further exacerbating the ongoing violence that has plagued the region for over a decade.
The attack occurred near the village of Diallassagou, a flashpoint area in the conflict-ridden Mopti region, which has seen a surge in violence since 2015.
An elected official from the region, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to security concerns, confirmed the attack and revealed that jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) were responsible for the assault.
The official added that several soldiers were wounded, and others remain unaccounted for, with some military equipment seized by the assailants.
Another official corroborated the report, stating that the casualties included 14 members of the national guard and one gendarme.
The military source in Mopti also indicated that while the army suffered significant losses, the terrorists had incurred even more casualties.
Mali has been grappling with the presence of various terrorist factions linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group since 2012. The northern part of the country has been particularly affected, with the Malian army and the Russian mercenary group Wagner suffering a major defeat at the hands of separatist rebels and jihadists at the end of July. The three-day battle led to the deaths of 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian soldiers, marking one of the most significant setbacks for the military in years.
Under the leadership of Colonel Assimi Goita, the Malian junta, which came to power through coups in 2020 and 2021, has prioritized reclaiming the country from separatist and jihadist forces. The junta has shifted its alliances, distancing itself from France, the former colonial power, and turning towards Russia for military support.
