KEY POINTS
- Rebels linked to JNIM attacked key locations in Bamako, causing widespread panic.
- The Malian army swiftly responded, neutralizing the attackers and restoring control.
- Viral videos showing the chaos have drawn international attention, though unverified.
Following an attack by insurgents before dawn that resulted in gunshots that echoed throughout the city, Mali announced on Tuesday that its capital, Bamako, was under control.
The attack was carried out by Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an affiliate of Al Qaeda.
The attacks on multiple locations in Bamako was a rare instance of unrest reaching the capital after years of armed conflict between government forces and Islamist rebels in the hinterlands,
The tension in the capital was palpable, with residents on edge despite the cessation of gunfire.
Tension spreads as viral videos capture chaos at airport
Viral videos circulating on social media showed scenes of chaos at the airport, including footage of a gunman setting fire to an aircraft marked “Republic of Mali” and empty corridors riddled with gunfire.
Another video displayed smoke billowing from an airplane hangar. While the videos have not been independently verified, they captured the attention of the international community.
The transport ministry urged citizens to remain calm, temporarily restricting access to the airport before later lifting the restrictions.
Malian military responds to neutralize insurgents, restore order
The Malian army responded swiftly, launching mopping-up operations to regain control of the situation. According to a statement by the military, the complex attack had been contained, with the attackers “neutralized.”
According to Reuters, Army Chief General Oumar Diarra confirmed the successful military response after visiting the gendarmerie academy, where cadets had been among those targeted.
However, the extent of the casualties remains unclear, with the army only confirming “some deaths,” including academy trainees.
A report from state television showed suspects in blindfolds and two bodies, one in military fatigues and the other in civilian clothing, but no further details were provided.
One widely circulated, but unverified, video depicted a dormitory set ablaze, revealing charred bodies among the wreckage of bunk beds.
Gunfire reportedly began around 3:00 am in the Banankabougou district near the Faladie Gendarmerie Academy, just as morning prayers were set to begin.
Witnesses said that the attackers likely used the cover of Monday’s Muslim holiday to infiltrate the city.
Mali has been struggling with an Islamist insurgency since 2012, which originated in the north and has since spread across the Sahel region.
Despite military interventions, including help from Russian mercenaries, the insurgency has worsened, leading to widespread violence and displacement across West Africa.
The attack in Bamako is the most significant since the 2015 Radisson Blu hotel raid, which left 20 dead. Despite hopes for increased security under military juntas that took power in recent years, attacks have intensified, further destabilizing the region.
