The Malian Armed Forces say they have killed over 80 terrorists in a massive coordinated assault repelled across seven towns in the country’s central and western regions.
According to the army, the attack struck Diboli, Nioro du Sahel, Kayes, Sandere, Gogoui, Molodo, and Niono on Tuesday, July 1. The jihadist offensive was reportedly launched days after the Malian army killed several senior insurgent leaders in earlier raids.
The assaults targeted both civilians and army installations. Malian authorities described the attack as “simultaneous and coordinated” and said it was “backed by sponsors whose presence was confirmed during today’s operations.”
Colonel Souleymane Dembélé, spokesperson for the Armed Forces Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIRPA), said the jihadists met stiff resistance. “The enemy suffered heavy losses wherever it attempted to strike the FDS,” he declared.
He revealed that more than 80 militants were killed in the counter-offensive. The military also recovered motorcycles, vehicles, ammunition, and a weapons cache.
Jihadist Gains and Government Reaction
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility. They said they seized three military barracks during the offensive.
In response, regional authorities in Kayes and Dioïla imposed a 30-day overnight curfew to contain the threat and deter further attacks.
This development follows JNIM’s increasingly violent campaigns in recent months. On May 23, they killed 41 Malian soldiers at the Dioura base. On June 1, they overran Boulikessi, reportedly killing 100 Malian and Wagner troops. Just a day later, they struck Timbuktu with a car bomb and gunmen, killing 13 of their own.
Despite these setbacks, Mali and its partners under the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS) have pushed back. On June 1, joint CSS forces retook Boukessi, Mondoro, Tessit, Kimparana, Kidal, and Ménaka.
The coalition also destroyed jihadist bases, arrested militants, and seized weapons. The CSS alliance, formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has reportedly killed over 4,200 terrorists since 2023—of which between 1,500 and 2,000 were in Mali.
Officials credit this momentum to improved coordination between member states and their decision to reduce dependence on foreign troops.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
