A coordinated assault by a jihadist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda targeted military and police facilities in Bamako, Mali, on September 17, 2024, marking a significant escalation in violence in the region.
The Malian military confirmed some casualties, including gendarmes killed during the attack on a police school, while the jihadist group claimed hundreds of military deaths, including Russian mercenaries. The attack unfolded over several hours, during which militants occupied parts of Bamako's international airport.
This incident coincides with the first anniversary of the establishment of Sahel states, an alliance formed to combat jihadism in the region. Experts note that the withdrawal of French forces and the UN mission has emboldened various jihadist factions, allowing them to strike at strategic locations within the capital.
Drissa Kanambaye, a resident of Bamako, emphasized the need for improved intelligence and community cooperation to counteract the influence of sleeper cells embedded within urban areas. The possibility of similar attacks in neighboring capitals, such as Ouagadougou and Niamey, raises concerns about the broader stability of the Sahel region.
The situation remains fluid, with significant implications for regional security and international counterterrorism efforts.