The Malian army repelled an attack in Timbuktu on Monday, just a day after suffering one of its deadliest recent losses when fighters from Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, overran a military base in Boulikessi, killing more than 30 soldiers.

Coordinated Assaults by JNIM

Sunday's attack in Boulikessi, near the Burkina Faso border, saw JNIM forces briefly seize a military base, according to security sources cited by Reuters. The Malian army acknowledged that its forces fought "vigorously" before conducting a tactical withdrawal. Unverified footage reviewed by the BBC showed fighters trampling over bodies at the camp, with Reuters sources saying the base had been “cleared” by the group.

The next morning, the group struck again—this time in Timbuktu. A car bomb reportedly detonated near a military camp, followed by a firefight. The Malian Armed Forces confirmed 13 assailants were killed in the failed infiltration, declaring the situation “under control.” Local reports indicated the attackers may have worn military attire to blend in.

Army Holds Ground Amid Rising Toll

JNIM also claimed to have targeted a military airport and Russian mercenaries during the Timbuktu attack. Although exact casualty numbers remain unconfirmed, these back-to-back strikes mark a sharp escalation in Mali’s security crisis. Earlier in May, JNIM said it killed 40 soldiers in a separate assault on Dioura base, and more than 400 soldiers are estimated to have died in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso since the month began.

U.S. Sounds Alarm on Sahel Instability

General Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, warned last week that Islamist groups in the Sahel are intensifying efforts to secure access to West Africa’s coastal regions. Such access could dramatically expand their smuggling and arms trafficking networks.

Jihadist Surge Amid Junta Promises

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—each governed by military juntas since 2020–2023—had pledged to eradicate jihadist violence. Yet, the string of attacks underscores how far they are from that goal. Once again, iconic locations like Timbuktu—previously retaken from jihadists in 2012—find themselves under renewed threat.