The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the leading Al-Qaeda-aligned jihadist coalition in the Sahel, mounted an assault on a Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) military camp in central Mali on Sunday, August 9. This operation adds to a lengthy series of attacks claimed by the militant network against regular army positions, highlighting the persistent struggle faced by transitional authorities in securing the nation’s rural territories.
A new offensive against FAMa positions
The recent attack targeted a garrison located in a region that has emerged as a primary hotbed for JNIM activity. Central Mali, particularly the areas surrounding Mopti and Ségou, has for several years been the scene of the deadliest clashes between government forces and jihadist combatants. The coalition, led by Iyad Ag Ghali, has firmly entrenched itself here, exploiting inter-communal tensions and the weakening of public services across rural zones.
The operational method described aligns with a well-established tactic: a coordinated strike against a military camp, an attempt to seize weaponry and vehicles, followed by a rapid retreat before the potential arrival of air reinforcements. This asymmetric approach, executed by mobile units on motorcycles, has become the signature of JNIM throughout the central Sahel. Independent confirmation of human casualties was not available, as Malian authorities tightly control communication regarding military setbacks.
Jihadist pressure reshapes the security map
Since the withdrawal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in late 2023, followed by the departure of French Barkhane forces, the security landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Bamako now relies on its own capabilities, reinforced by support from the Russian Africa Corps, a structure that succeeded the Wagner Group after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin. This realignment has not stemmed the jihadist advance, as demonstrated by repeated assaults targeting military installations.
JNIM, led by Tuareg chief Iyad Ag Ghali since 2017, comprises several katibas originating from Ansar Dine, the Macina Liberation Front, and Al-Mourabitoune. Its ability to strike simultaneously in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger positions it as the primary threat to the three member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). In practice, the organization seeks to isolate regional capitals by implementing numerous road blockades and imposing its own governance in areas under its control.
A constant test for Mali’s transition
For the transitional authorities led by General Assimi Goïta, the frequency of these attacks represents a significant political as well as military challenge. The legitimacy of the current government largely rests on its commitment to restoring the nation’s security sovereignty. However, successive setbacks, notably the one suffered at Tinzaouatène in July 2024 against a coalition of rebels from the Permanent Strategic Framework and JNIM fighters, fuel questions about the effectiveness of the current security framework.
Regional partners observe the situation with growing apprehension. The Confederation of Sahel States, formalized in July 2024 between Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Niamey, aimed to pool counter-terrorism efforts. Nevertheless, operational coordination remains limited, with each national army confronting its own urgent priorities. Furthermore, humanitarian access is deteriorating in jihadist-controlled zones, where non-governmental organizations struggle to maintain their activities.
The repeated attacks on military camps also bring into question the perimeter defense doctrine adopted by the FAMa. The consolidation of troops into a few fortified strongholds, intended to reduce their vulnerability, inadvertently transforms these sites into prime targets for an adversary capable of concentrating resources on identified objectives. In the medium term, the issue of territorial coverage and the reconquest of abandoned zones will become increasingly critical for the authorities in Bamako.
