Dozens of militants were shot dead in an assault on a Malian army base in the town of San, the army said, asserting that the fight was repelled within two hours.
Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al‑Qaeda‑affiliated jihadist group, blamed the attack, claiming that its fighters had taken control of the installation before being forced to withdraw. While casualties among the Malian soldiers were confirmed, the defenders insisted the garrison had not surrendered.
According to a video from the commander of the 23rd regiment, Lieutenant Colonel El Oumrani, the enemy was eliminated and approximately forty terrorists were killed. He appealed to residents to remain vigilant, adding that the camp “is not empty, it is under the safeguard of the army.”
The clash began around 05:00 local time, with insurgents arriving on motorcycles and on foot. Eyewitnesses report some fighters wore military uniforms to infiltrate the base. A witness recounted that the fighting occurred within 200‑300 metres of the camp, that several terrorists died while others fled or hid in nearby houses before dispersing into the forest.
At least ten soldiers were killed in the engagement and the attackers briefly seized control of the base, according to AFP and local security sources. Armed with drones, heavy machine guns and armored vehicles, the militants breached the perimeter before the army responded decisively.
The incident underscores how the conflict in Mali has evolved. Since 2012, the north and east regions have remained largely outside government control, while recent operations have pushed jihadist activity into central and southern areas. The 2024 attack, combined with April’s coordinated assaults from the Azawad Liberation Front, illustrates JNIM’s growing reach and adaptability.
The aftermath of the April coup, which saw General Assimi Goïta seize power in 2020, saw Mali rejecting French military aid and pivoting toward Russia. The shifting alliances hint at a broader geopolitical contest for influence across West Africa as local juntas align with external powers.
