Al-Qaeda Affiliate JNIM Attacks Malian Army Near Senegal Border, Escalating Regional Violence
The al-Qaeda-linked group, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on various Malian army positions, including one situated in Diboli, near the border with Senegal. This incident signifies a significant rise in extremist violence reaching into western Mali, a region that has largely escaped such turmoil until now.
The Malian military reported that the assault took place near Diboli, a border town that serves as a vital trade and import hub from Dakar, Senegal. The attack is particularly concerning due to the area's historical stability and economic significance.
Colonel Majo Souleymane Dembélé, the spokesperson for the Malian army, announced on national television that security forces had "neutralized" 80 attackers during the clash. However, details regarding any casualties among the soldiers were not disclosed.
The expansion of violence has raised alarm among experts. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, highlighted the concern, stating, "The border region to Senegal is a major gateway for trade and imports from Dakar ports to Mali that had been relatively stable for years. This will also worry border communities in Senegal."
Mali has been grappling with extremist insurgencies for more than ten years, involving groups affiliated with both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The security situation has worsened following a series of military coups that led to the departure of French forces and the arrival of Russian mercenaries. Despite these changes, attacks have escalated throughout Mali and the neighboring country of Burkina Faso, with JNIM extending its influence in both nations.
