Latest news with #SouleymaneDembele
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First Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
3 Indians abducted amid terror attacks in Mali: Was Al Qaeda-linked JNIM behind it?
Three Indian nationals were kidnapped in Mali's Kayes region after a terrorist assault linked to Al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM. While the group hasn't claimed the abductions, it has acknowledged coordinated attacks across Mali on the same day, July 1. India has condemned the incident and is pressing for their release as the Sahel faces surging extremist violence read more Fighters from Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA) gather as they secure the perimeter during a meeting of Tuareg rebels army leaders in Tinzaouaten, Northern Mali, November 27, 2024. Representational Image/Reuters Three Indian citizens have been taken hostage in western Mali following a terrorist assault that hit multiple locations in the region on July 1. The attack occurred at the Diamond Cement Factory in Kayes, where a group of armed men entered the site and abducted the workers. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the victims were employees of the facility and were targeted during a deliberate and violent incursion. In an official statement, the MEA said, 'The incident occurred on July 1, when a group of armed assailants carried out a coordinated attack at the factory premises and forcibly took three Indian nationals as hostages.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian government has denounced the incident and urged Malian authorities to secure the immediate release of the hostages. 'The government of India unequivocally condemns this deplorable act of violence and calls upon the government of the Republic of Mali to take all necessary measures to secure the safe and expeditious release of the abducted Indian nationals,' the MEA said. Efforts are ongoing at multiple levels. The Indian Embassy in Bamako has been coordinating closely with local officials, police, and the management of the factory. Communication lines have also been established with the families of the abducted individuals. 'Senior officials of the ministry are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain engaged at various levels to facilitate safe and early release of Indian nationals,' the MEA added. It also advised all Indian nationals in Mali to maintain caution and remain in close contact with the embassy. Was JNIM behind the abduction? While no entity has formally claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of the Indian workers, the timing and context strongly suggest involvement of Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a group affiliated with al-Qaeda. On the same day as the factory incident, JNIM claimed responsibility for simultaneous assaults across several towns in Mali, including Kayes, Diboli, Sandere and other locations near the borders with Senegal and Mauritania. According to Mali's armed forces, these attacks were part of a large-scale offensive involving multiple locations in the country's western and central regions. Army spokesperson Col. Souleymane Dembele, in a nationally broadcast statement, said, 'The enemy suffered significant losses in every location where they engaged with the security and defence forces.' He added that the army recovered weapons, vehicles and motorcycles during the operation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The armed forces reported repelling the attacks and 'neutralising' more than 80 assailants. JNIM, for its part, said it had taken control of three army installations, describing the assault as 'co-ordinated and high quality' in a social media post. This coordinated campaign marked the third significant assault on the Malian military in a single month, following earlier attacks that targeted an army base and airport in Timbuktu on June 2 and another that resulted in the deaths of over 30 soldiers in central Mali. What we know about the JNIM JNIM, which emerged in 2017 through the unification of four Islamist factions, has become one of the most formidable armed networks in West Africa. The group is led by Iyad ag Ghali, a Tuareg leader, and Amadou Koufa, a preacher from the Fulani community. Their shared leadership reflects the group's strategy of tapping into diverse ethnic and regional dynamics to expand its influence. Estimates from regional and Western intelligence sources place the group's strength between 5,000 and 6,000 fighters. The group operates in a decentralised, franchise-style manner, tailoring its approach to local conditions and grievances. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In areas under its control, it enforces a strict Salafist interpretation of Islamic law, including bans on schooling, music and public celebrations. Dress codes and social restrictions are often imposed, and the group also levies taxes such as zakat on local communities to fund its activities. In places like central and southern Mali, JNIM has reached arrangements with villages that allow it to establish de facto governance. These agreements often come with the promise of not attacking residents who comply with the group's mandates. Despite its affiliation with al-Qaeda, recent signs suggest some ideological repositioning within JNIM. Koufa, during an interview in October, made no mention of al-Qaeda, leading analysts to speculate about a possible shift in strategic orientation. Moreover, when a rebel group led by Syrian figure Ahmed al-Sharaa overthrew the Assad regime in West Asia, JNIM congratulated the movement — indicating a possible openness to repositioning itself globally. How violence has affected the Sahel Mali has faced a deteriorating security environment since 2012, when a separatist rebellion in the north morphed into a jihadist insurgency. Over time, the violence spread to central Mali and into neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Niger. The crisis has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of international forces, including France and the United Nations, and the rise of military regimes across the Sahel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD JNIM is now deeply embedded in regional instability. On May 11, its fighters stormed Djibo in northern Burkina Faso, launching an attack that killed over 100 individuals, including civilians, soldiers and paramilitaries. The attackers also looted and burned government infrastructure, including a military camp, a police station, a medical centre and a local market. Videos later circulated showing the extent of the destruction. The group also abducted civilians and soldiers, including women. According to The Washington Post, regional analysts have called JNIM the most well-armed militant outfit in West Africa, citing its estimated 6,000 fighters and expanding reach. Héni Nsaibia of the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project remarked: 'They're creating a proto-state that stretches like a belt from western Mali all the way to the borderlands of Benin. … It is a substantial — even exponential — expansion.' In Benin, JNIM reportedly killed 54 soldiers earlier this year near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger. On June 12, it claimed to have taken over a military post in Basso, located only a few miles from Nigeria's border. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Institute for the Study of War concluded that militants likely entered from Nigeria's Kainji reserve, hinting at operational coordination with other regional extremist groups. How the threat is growing across West Africa The spillover of violence into relatively stable countries like Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Togo is intensifying concerns. Togo recorded more terrorist attacks in 2024 than in any previous year. Benin has reported nearly as many conflict-related deaths in the first quarter of 2025 as it did in all of 2024. Ghana, though still untouched by direct attacks, is already being used as a transit and logistical base, according to West African officials. US General Michael Langley, Commander of United States Africa Command, voiced serious concern about Islamist militant groups gaining access to West Africa's coastline. At a press conference in May, he said that recent assaults across the Sahel, Nigeria, and the Lake Chad Basin 'were deeply troubling' and warned that a foothold on the coast would increase terrorist groups' abilities to smuggle weapons and build financial networks. ACLED data shows that since 2019, JNIM has been responsible for the deaths of over 5,800 civilians. In many places where it consolidates control, the frequency of attacks on civilians drops — not because violence ceases, but because the group achieves a level of governance that quells resistance through coercion and fear. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While JNIM and the Islamic State-Sahel Province have turned the Sahel into the epicentre of global terrorism, the region's governments are struggling to respond effectively. Counterterrorism operations by state forces have often included abuses, particularly against the Fulani population, which in turn fuels recruitment by extremist groups. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
The South African
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Mali kills 80 militants after al-Qaeda-linked raids escalate
The Malian Armed Forces (FA Ma) responded to coordinated attacks on military targets in seven cities on 1 July 2025. The targeted areas were Nioro du Sahel, Diboli, Kayes, Sandere, Gogoui, Molodo, and Niono. As a result, the attack affected Nioro, Kayes, Sandere and Gogui, deeply alarming residents and local officials. Near the governor's residence, Kayes residents reported heavy gunfire and smoke. The attacks occurred near the borders with Mauritania and Senegal, raising concerns about regional security. The al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attacks. Moreover, JNIM declared that it had acquired numerous army installations, including three barracks. According to reports from Al Jazeera, quoting JNIM statements, the group described the operation as 'coordinated and high-quality.' The assault marks the third major JNIM attack in the past month. In addition, the militants had earlier killed 30 troops in central Mali and attacked the airport in Timbuktu. Mali's army declared the death of 80 rebels during counteroffensive operations. Insurgents suffered casualties in every combat zone, according to Army spokeswoman Souleymane Dembele. Weapons, motorcycles, and vehicles used in the attacks were among the confiscated items. Images of dead insurgents were broadcast on national television by the military. Official figures for the number of Malian soldiers' fatalities remained unreleased as of 2 July. For over ten years, Mali has struggled with Islamist insurgencies, including branches of ISIL and al-Qaeda. The country's continued military rule following the 2020 coup hinders international cooperation. In May 2025, the US Africa Command issued a warning about the growth of militants along West Africa's coastline. Furthermore, General Michael Langley emphasised the increasing risks of weapon trafficking and smuggling in the Sahel region. As a result, the attacks highlight growing insecurity in Mali and its neighbouring countries. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
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First Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Africa: Mali army says at least 80 militants killed after Jihadists attacked military posts
Malian army on Tuesday said that it 'neutralised' more than 80 militants after Jihadist fighters launched coordinated attacks on military posts in several towns across Mali, marking the third major offensive against the army in the past month read more Malian army on Tuesday said that it 'neutralised' more than 80 militants after Jihadist fighters launched coordinated attacks on military posts in several towns across Mali, marking the third major offensive against the army in the past month. According to a BBC report, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, claimed responsibility for the attacks and said it had seized control of three army barracks. However, Malian army said the enemy suffered significant losses in every location they attacked. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The enemy suffered significant losses in every location where they engaged with the security and defence forces,' BBC quoted Army Spokesperson Souleymane Dembele as saying in a statement broadcast on national TV. Col Dembele added that the army recovered weapons, vehicles and motorcycles from the assailants. Mali has been gripped by a deadly Islamist insurgency for over a decade, alongside ongoing violence from separatist groups. Earlier, the military reported that the attacks took place in seven towns and cities, including Binoli, Kayes, and Sandere, near the Senegalese border. Additional assaults were reported further north, close to Mali's border with Mauritania. A resident of Kayes told the BBC that gunfire could be heard 'everywhere' during the assault. 'The police station was damaged, as well as the governor's house,' he was quoted as saying, adding that casualty figures were still unclear. JNIM described its latest assault as 'coordinated and high quality' in a social media statement, though it provided no casualty figures. The group also claimed responsibility for two other major recent attacks. On 2 June, militants struck an army camp and airport in the northern city of Timbuktu. The day before, a raid in central Mali killed at least 30 soldiers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These incidents underscore the escalating insecurity in Mali and the wider Sahel, following a warning from US Africa Command about Islamist militant groups intensifying efforts to reach West Africa's coastal regions. With inputs from agencies
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Mali's army says 80 militants killed after coordinated attacks on its posts
Mali's armed forces have killed 80 militants in response to a series of simultaneous and coordinated attacks on military posts across the country, according to a video statement released by the army on Tuesday. "The enemy suffered significant losses in every location where they engaged with the security and defence forces," Souleymane Dembele, the army's spokesperson, said in a special bulletin broadcast on the armed forces' television channel, as visuals of fallen insurgents, their weapons, motorbikes and vehicles were displayed. Al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) earlier claimed responsibility for "coordinated and high-quality attacks", saying it had taken control of over three barracks and dozens of military positions. Mali's armed forces said the attacks took place in seven towns in the central and western regions of the West African country. The incidents bore the hallmarks of other recent operations by the militants, who have conducted similar assaults on military positions in Mali and Burkina Faso.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mali army says 80 fighters killed after earlier al-Qaeda linked attacks
Mali's armed forces have killed 80 fighters in response to a series of simultaneous and coordinated attacks on military posts across the country, according to a video statement released by the military. 'The enemy suffered significant losses in every location where they engaged with the security and defence forces,' Souleymane Dembele, the army's spokesperson, said in a special bulletin broadcast on the armed forces' television channel, as visuals of fallen rebels, their weapons, motorbikes, and vehicles were displayed. Al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) earlier claimed responsibility for 'coordinated and high-quality attacks', saying it had taken control of three barracks and dozens of military positions. Mali's armed forces said the attacks took place in seven towns in the central and western regions of the West African country. The incidents bore the hallmarks of other recent operations by the group, which has conducted similar assaults on military positions in Mali and Burkina Faso. Mali, governed by a military government since 2020, has for more than a decade fought violent groups linked to ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda, while contending with a longer history of Tuareg-led rebellions in the north. The attacks on Tuesday targeted Diboli in western Mali near the border with Senegal, and the nearby towns of Kayes and Sandere. There were also attacks in Nioro du Sahel and Gogoui, northwest of the capital Bamako near the border with Mauritania, and in Molodo and Niono in central Mali, 'all struck by shellfire', the army's statement said. Residents and a local politician confirmed the attacks in at least four towns. 'We woke up in shock this morning. There's gunfire, and from my house I can see smoke billowing towards the governor's residence,' one resident in the city of Kayes said. The person described the gunfire as 'intense' while another reported sheltering at home while the assault raged on. Elsewhere, a local political official wrote on Facebook that 'the region of Nioro woke up in shock' and that the towns of Nioro, Sandare and Gogui had been targeted.
