Multiple military installations in Mali were targeted by suspected jihadists in a series of early-morning attacks on Tuesday, according to reports from the military and local residents. Among the affected sites was an army camp situated in the major western city of Kayes, raising alarms as the country grapples with a recent surge in violence.
The Malian military confirmed that seven of its positions across the western region experienced “coordinated attacks” early that morning. Eyewitness accounts from residents indicated a chaotic scene, marked by intense gunfire and visible smoke. One resident described the situation, saying, “We woke up in shock this morning. There’s gunfire, and from my house I can see smoke billowing towards the governor’s residence.”
A police source added that armed assailants, described as “jihadists in pickup trucks,” had been assaulting the military camp in Kayes since dawn. The ongoing violence prompted some residents to evacuate nearby areas while gunfire persisted.
Local political figures were quick to respond to the alarming developments. Sekou Niame Bathily, a prominent official in the region, took to social media to share that “the region of Nioro woke up in shock” as news emerged of attacks in multiple towns, including Nioro, Sandare, and Gogui.
Since 2012, Mali has been engulfed in security challenges stemming from attacks by groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as rising separatist movements and criminal gangs. The recent escalation of violence has raised concerns about the stability and safety of both military personnel and civilians in the region.
