An army camp in Timbuktu, Mali, came under attack on Monday, prompting heavy gunfire that reverberated throughout the city. Military sources and local officials confirmed that terrorist groups were behind the assault. Witnesses reported a tense atmosphere as exchanges of fire broke out, with one source stating, “We are dealing with terrorists attacking Timbuktu. We are fighting back.”
According to local officials, the attack involved a vehicle packed with explosives that detonated near the military camp situated in the city center. This explosion marked the beginning of a violent confrontation that led to ongoing shooting in the area.
In light of the situation, staff from the United Nations received directives to take shelter and avoid windows due to the escalating gunfire across Timbuktu. A local resident described the scene, mentioning, “heavy gunfire in the city” originating from near the military facility.
A local journalist, contacted by phone during the chaos, relayed that “the city is under fire,” underscoring the gravity of the situation as he reported sounds of gunfire near both the military camp and the nearby airport. Many residents, fearing for their safety, chose to stay indoors, with one noting, “This morning our city was attacked by terrorist groups. We all returned home.”
Timbuktu, an ancient city with a storied history as a center of Islamic scholarship and culture, has faced persistent violence over the past decade. Since 2012, the region has seen escalating attacks from jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, along with various community and criminal factions. The recent attacks highlight the ongoing instability in the country, previously marred by the destruction of irreplaceable cultural heritage during jihadist control in 2012 and 2013. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, alarmed by the resurgence of violence in this historically significant city.
