Deadly attacks in Bamako leave devastation as Mali battles terror threat

In the wake of devastating attacks that struck Mali’s capital, Bamako, on Tuesday, officials have confirmed significant human and material losses.

The attacks, which targeted both the Faladié Gendarmerie School and Senou International Airport, prompted swift military action and a temporary shutdown of airport operations.

According to a statement by Mali’s General Staff of the Armed Forces, the coordinated assault began at approximately 5:30 am, when heavily armed militants attempted to infiltrate the two critical sites.

The assailants were met with a fierce response from the Malian Defense and Security Forces, who repelled the attackers, neutralizing several of them.

The General Staff acknowledged that despite their efforts, the assault claimed the lives of multiple gendarmerie cadets.

These young recruits were described as making a “heroic sacrifice” in their defense of the nation. Several soldiers were also wounded and are currently receiving medical care.

Additionally, the attack caused extensive damage to the gendarmerie school and parts of the airport’s northeastern perimeter.

As a precaution, authorities temporarily restricted access to Senou International Airport, halting all air traffic and closing the area for several hours.

However, by late afternoon, with the situation brought under control, the airport resumed normal operations.

Responsibility for the dual attacks was claimed by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

In a statement, the jihadist group boasted of inflicting heavy casualties, including the destruction of six military aircraft and the deaths of numerous Malian soldiers, as well as Wagner mercenaries.

The group also acknowledged the loss of all its militants involved in the attack, referring to them as “immersionists.”

Despite the tragic loss of life, the Malian Armed Forces reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s peace and stability, vowing that such incidents would not deter them from their mission.