Mali Capital Attack Leaves Over 70 Dead

A devastating attack by the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM) on Mali's capital, Bamako, resulted in over 70 fatalities and significant injuries. The militants targeted an elite police training academy and the airport, causing widespread destruction, including setting the presidential jet on fire and damaging a World Food Programme plane. The attack has been described as one of the worst since the country's unrest began over a decade ago and a severe blow to the ruling military junta, which had claimed to have stabilized the situation. The attack highlights the junta's ongoing struggle against jihadist forces despite turning to Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group for support. The incident has raised significant concerns about the junta's capacity to ensure security, with analysts and diplomats questioning its effectiveness. This event underscores the persistent instability in the Sahel region and the challenges faced by local and international efforts to combat militant insurgencies.