Terrorists Attack Mali Army Base

Terrorists have attacked a strategic Malian army base in Mopti, triggering intense fighting between troops and militants on Thursday.

The attack targeted the Dioura military camp, a key forward base for army operations in the central region.

Mali’s armed forces confirmed the attack in a statement but gave no casualty figures.

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An army officer based in Mopti told AFP that the situation was under control with support from Russia-backed Africa Corps fighters.

“Our positions came under fire this morning, but the situation is now under control with the support of our partners,” the officer said.

Local residents reported intense gunfire and a chaotic situation around the camp.

“We heard gunfire early in the morning, it was non-stop. Then a few moments later we saw army pickup trucks speeding from the camp towards the edge of town,” one resident said anonymously.

Terrorists Attack Strategic Mali Army Base (NewsCentral TV) — Malian Army. Credit: The Libya Update.

Another resident claimed the attackers had entered the camp and said a Malian aircraft was seen flying over the area.

The resident added that the situation “is not completely calm”.

The director of Mali’s military public relations service described the attacks as “complex” but said the army had “managed to destroy the enemy”.

However, Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed it had taken “total control of a Malian army barracks in the town of Dioura”.

The army said assessments were still ongoing and that casualty figures were not yet available.

The attack comes after JNIM and its Tuareg separatist allies launched a series of attacks since late April aimed at weakening Mali’s military rulers.

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The Dioura camp has been attacked several times in recent years by JNIM and the Tuareg-separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).

Mali has faced a major security crisis since 2012, with terrorist violence linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups, alongside criminal gangs and armed separatists.

The junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has moved away from France and strengthened military and political ties with Russia.

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