On 17 September 2024, gunmen attacked several locations across Bamako, the capital of Mali, including police and military installations. At least 77 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured. The Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin, an Islamist militant group affiliated with al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility.[1][2]
| 2024 Bamako attacks | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Mali War | |
| Location | multiple locations in Bamako, Mali |
| Date | 17 September 2024 |
| Target | Malian soldiers, gendarmerie and civilians |
Attack type | Gunfire |
| Deaths | 77+ |
| Injured | 255+ |
| Perpetrator |  Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin |
Background
editMali has been in a state of conflict since 2012 due to groups linked to Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, Tuareg rebels, self-declared defence forces and bandits.[3][4] In an effort to resolve the situation, the Malian Armed Forces ousted the civilian government in a 2020 coup and resorted to allowing the entry of Russian mercenaries to fight insurgents.[5] Bamako itself had largely been unaffected by the fighting, with the last related incident being an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in 2015 that killed 20 people.[3]
Attacks
editThe attacks began in the early morning of 17 September 2024 at around 05:00,[6] when gunmen attacked several locations across the city including the Banankabougou neighbourhood,[3] the Faladie military police school[7] housing elite units of the Malian gendarmerie[8] in the southeast of Bamako, and the nearby military airport,[3] which the JNIM claimed to have fully taken.[1] The attacks prompted the closure of Modibo Keita International Airport, which adjoins the military airport,[9] while clashes were also reported at a police station controlling access to the former.[1] The JNIM claimed to have destroyed six aircraft,[10] including several fighter planes,[8] and a drone, and opened fire at a drone platform[10] and the presidential hangar of the military airport. An aircraft used for humanitarian work by the World Food Programme was also damaged on the ground,[11] according to its owner, the South African-based National Airways Corporation, adding that its crew and staff were secured in a safe house.[12]
The attacks were finally put down by Malian government forces later in the day, with the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Oumar Diarra visiting the Faladie school and stating that all the "terrorists" who attacked the facility had been "neutralised".[13]
Casualties
editEstimates of the casualties varied, with the death toll ranging from 77 to more than 100, while 255 others were injured. Among the dead were 50 military police students who were buried on 19 September.[2] At least 20 militants were believed to have been captured,[1] while the JNIM claimed that a few dozen of its fighters had inflicted "hundreds" of casualties, including on members of the Wagner Group.[2] One security personnel of the United Nations was also injured.[14]
Reactions
editThe attacks were condemned by multiple countries and organisations including the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, Senegal, France and the United Kingdom.[11][15]
Criticism of the attacks within Mali was limited due to severe restrictions on freedom of expression by the ruling military junta, with the exception of a few media outlets such as the newspaper Nouvel Horizon, which wrote that it was "time to apportion blame at all levels".[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Al-Qaeda-linked group says it was behind Mali attack". BBC. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Jihadist Attacks In Mali Capital Killed More Than 70: Security Sources". Barron's. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Malian capital Bamako 'under control' after surprise Islamist attack". RFI. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Mali: Army says situation 'under control' after 'terrorist' attack". The Africa Report. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Jihadist assault on Mali's capital killed scores of people, say security sources". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Major jihadist attack in Mali's capital killed more than 70, security source says". France 24. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Mali troops put down a deadly militant attack in the capital". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Mali's capital hit by first major jihadist attack since junta came to power". Le Monde. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Jihadist attack in Mali capital killed more than 70: security sources". RFI. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "AFRICA/MALI - Terrorist attacks in Bamako: a signal to the military juntas of Niger and Burkina?". Agenzia Fides. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Attack by al-Qaeda linked group in Mali killed more than 70 people". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "A U.N.-chartered plane was damaged in an Islamist attack in Mali". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Situation under control following Bamako attack by al-Qaida affiliate". Africanews. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "UN chief strongly condemns Mali terrorist attack". UN News. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Mali: ECOWAS condemns attack on Bamako, reiterates commitment to work for peace". Agenzia Nova. Retrieved 20 September 2024.