Mali: 15 soldiers killed in Jihadist ambush

At least fifteen members of Mali’s Defense and Security Forces (FDS) were killed on Thursday during a fierce confrontation with jihadist militants in the Mopti region, close to the town of Diallassagou.

The soldiers, who were on patrol to protect local farmers heading to their fields, fell victim to a sudden ambush orchestrated by jihadists linked to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

The attack unfolded near a hillside where the jihadists, armed and mobile on motorcycles and vehicles, launched a well-coordinated and intense assault.

The Malian army responded with heavy gunfire, resulting in a prolonged and deadly exchange of fire. Reports indicate that the casualties included one gendarme and fourteen members of the national guard, with additional soldiers reported injured or missing. Sources suggest that the attackers sustained minimal losses during the clash.

This tragic incident underscores the persistent security challenges plaguing central Mali, a region where jihadist groups continue to exert influence, occupying local territories, enforcing their own laws, and holding at least 150 civilians hostage for several months.

Despite ongoing military efforts to restore stability, the relentless threat posed by these extremist factions remains a significant concern for the Malian government and its allies.