Malian army repels four jihadist attacks in northern regions

The Malian Armed Forces (Fama) announced their successful repulsion of four “terrorist” attacks across northern localities, including the town of Ménaka, which is surrounded by Islamic State jihadists.

Despite the challenging circumstances, Fama reported a significant victory in Ménaka, neutralizing dozens of terrorists and arresting around twenty individuals.

The attack in Ménaka resulted in damage to the relay antenna of Orange-Mali, the telephone operator in the city, causing communication difficulties in the area. A governorate official confirmed the incident, highlighting the challenges faced in maintaining essential services during such security threats.

The overall situation is complicated by difficulties in collecting and verifying information due to limited access to remote sites and a generally degraded context. Since 2012, Mali has grappled with the activities of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated groups, alongside violence from self-defense factions and rampant banditry. This security crisis has exacerbated existing humanitarian and political challenges.

Notably, the northern region has witnessed an escalation of military confrontations since August, further intensified by the withdrawal of the UN mission, prompted by the ruling junta. This withdrawal triggered a territorial power struggle involving the army, jihadists, and separatists opposing the central state.

The security crisis, which has gripped Mali since the junta assumed control in 2020, has now spilled over into the central regions and neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. These countries also experienced military coups in 2022 and 2023, respectively, contributing to the regional instability.