Jihadist attack in mali: Over 70 dead, numerous injured

Over 70 people died and 200 were injured in Tuesday's jihadist attack on the gendarmerie school and military airport in Bamako, the capital of Mali, according to the AFP agency, citing military sources. The junta ruling the country since 2021, which has established cooperation with Russia, had previously promised to improve security in the country.

The explosions began on Tuesday around 1:30 AM ET at the gendarmerie school, which also houses elite military police units, and in the vicinity of Modibo Keita International Airport, where Military Air Base 101 is located. Footage shows black smoke rising over the airport.

The "Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims" claimed responsibility for the attacks, a jihadist organization affiliated with Al-Qaeda. The French newspaper "Le Monde" notes that Tuesday's attack is another failure for the military junta in power since 2021, which promised to improve the security situation in the country.

Under Colonel Assimi Goita's leadership, Mali severed its long-standing ties with France and several EU countries and established military and economic relations with Russia.

According to a survey published in August by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, 91% of Malians believe that Russian assistance will improve the country's security.

The actions of Russian mercenaries in Mali contribute to ethnic minority purges combined with propaganda calling for violence, recently warned the "Africa Defense Forum" (ADF), a magazine published by the U.S. regional command in Africa.

The report described how even the elderly, women, and children are not spared, as their homes are destroyed by fire, and their land, livestock, and small possessions are plundered.