Mali’s army says its forces killed about 40 suspected jihadists after repelling an attack on a military base in the central town of San on Sunday. The assault was claimed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
The military said it suffered casualties during the fighting but rejected claims that the attackers had permanently captured the base. It acknowledged that troops were forced to make what it described as a temporary withdrawal during the battle.
The attack comes as Mali continues to face a worsening security crisis more than a decade after Islamist insurgencies began spreading across the country.
Militants Claim Control of Military Base
Lieutenant Colonel El Oumrani, commander of the 23rd regiment stationed in San, said around 40 militants had been killed during the fighting.
In a video statement, he said the attack had been successfully repelled and urged local residents to remain alert. He also insisted that the military had maintained control of the base.
“The camp of the 23rd is not empty, it is under the custody of the army,” he said.
JNIM, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for the assault and said its fighters had taken control of the military position.
Witnesses cited by French broadcaster RFI said the attack began at around 05:00 local time on Sunday and continued for approximately two hours.
Fighters Used Motorcycles and Heavy Weapons
According to witnesses, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and on foot, with some allegedly wearing military uniforms to gain access to the base.
One witness told RFI that militants entered the camp and remained there for an extended period before withdrawing.
The witness also said fighting took place between 200 and 300 metres from the military installation, with some militants killed while others escaped. Some reportedly hid in nearby houses before fleeing into surrounding woodland.
AFP, citing security and local sources, reported that at least 10 soldiers were killed and that the militants briefly gained control of the camp.
Mali’s national broadcaster ORTM reported that the attackers used drones, heavy machine guns and armoured vehicles during the assault.
Mali Faces Growing Jihadist Threat
Mali has struggled with Islamist insurgencies since 2012, with large areas of the country’s north and east remaining beyond effective government control.
The security situation has become more complicated in recent months. In April, coordinated attacks were carried out across the country by jihadist groups and separatist rebels belonging to the Azawad Liberation Front, which seeks to challenge the military government led by General Assimi Goïta.
Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed during the attacks in what authorities described as an apparent suicide truck bombing targeting his residence near Bamako.
JNIM has also expanded its activities beyond its traditional areas of operation in northern Mali. The group has increasingly carried out attacks in central and southern parts of the country, demonstrating its ability to operate deeper inside Malian territory.
Mali Turns Away From French Military Support
The current security crisis follows years of political and military instability. Goïta seized power in a 2020 coup after widespread frustration over the government’s inability to contain the jihadist insurgency.
Following the coup, Mali rejected continued French military assistance and sought closer security ties with Russia as it attempted to strengthen its fight against armed groups.
The latest attack in San underlines the continuing challenge facing Mali’s military government as militant groups maintain the ability to launch complex assaults despite repeated military operations.
