Recent Attack in Mali’s Capital Bamako Left 77 Dead, and 200 More Injured

By Sarah Holmes

Early on Tuesday, September 17 an elite military police school and military base in Bamako were attacked by an armed group. The al-Qaeda linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group claimed their goals are to remove oppression and non-Muslim occupiers in Mali, referring to foreign troops and Western influence. It is unclear what exactly took place in the attack, but bystanders report gunshots ringing out, and smoke billowed from the scene. JNIM members killed both Mailian soldiers and Russian soldiers from the Wagner Group during the attack. Wagner Group, referred to now as Africa Corps, is in Mali to help the government increase security against armed groups such as these. Mali’s military leader, Asimi Goita has responded by promising to maintain operations against jihadist fighters. This attack severely hurt the narrative that security within the country has been improving.