The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) launched a series of airstrikes in Ségou and Timbuktu on Saturday, two days after an ambush claimed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) targeted a military convoy in the country’s west.
According to a statement from the General Staff, FAMa carried out reconnaissance missions and precision strikes across affected areas. In the west of Sokolo in Ségou, around fifteen militants were reportedly neutralised, and some twenty motorcycles and other logistical equipment hidden under vegetation were destroyed.
Air operations also targeted northern, northeastern, and southeastern sectors of Timbuktu, particularly near In-Gouzma, striking camouflaged pick-up trucks belonging to armed groups. These coordinated operations aimed to disrupt militant networks and prevent further attacks.
The ambush that prompted the military response occurred on Wednesday, October 1, between Kayes and Yelimané.
In a statement released on Az Zallaqa on October 3, JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack, reporting four soldiers killed and weapons seized, including a PK machine gun and a Kalashnikov.
The Malian army praised the professionalism and effectiveness of its forces during the retaliatory strikes, emphasizing the importance of civilian vigilance.
“We call on the population to remain alert and cooperative to strengthen collective security and sustainably reduce the terrorist threat,” the statement read.
The recent operations underscore Mali’s ongoing struggle with JNIM and affiliated groups, which continue to target military and civilian infrastructure in both western and northern regions.
Analysts note that militant tactics, including ambushes and the use of improvised equipment, remain a persistent threat to regional stability.
Security forces have increasingly relied on combined ground and air operations to counter insurgents, while calling for local communities to support intelligence efforts.
Despite these measures, sporadic attacks continue to highlight the challenges faced by Malian authorities in securing vast rural areas.
With recent strikes reportedly eliminating key militant assets, the army hopes to disrupt JNIM’s operational capabilities, though the volatile security landscape in Mali’s west and north suggests that continued vigilance and coordinated military efforts remain crucial.
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