Mali’s western industrial corridor suffered a severe security blow on Sunday, January 11, 2026, as over one hundred heavily armed insurgents launched a coordinated raid in the Bafoulabé district.
The attackers, arriving on motorcycles, targeted key economic facilities along National Route 22, including the Diamond Cement plant in Gangontéry, the Carrière et Chaux du Mali quarry in Karaga, and the Stones factory. The assault resulted in significant infrastructure damage, with several loaders and a transport bus set ablaze, sending thick plumes of smoke over the region.
Reports indicate that at least three employees were kidnapped from the Diamond Cement site, though local sources suggest the number of abductees could be higher. While no official death toll has been released, the boldness of the attack has sent shockwaves through the region, which has been under a strict nighttime curfew since July 2025. In response to the crisis, local authorities have temporarily suspended all river crossings in the area to hinder the movement of the armed groups and prevent further infiltrations.
This latest surge in violence follows a disturbing trend of targeting strategic economic interests in the Kayes region. These same facilities were previously attacked in July 2025, an operation that notably resulted in the abduction of three Indian nationals. Security analysts attribute this repeated targeting to the militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which has increasingly focused its operations on disrupting Mali’s industrial and logistical lifelines, including fuel convoys and critical infrastructure linking the country to Senegal.
The security situation in Kayes remains fragile; between January and June of 2025, the region recorded 101 security incidents and 222 civilian casualties. By striking these industrial hubs, militants are not only causing immediate material damage but are also sabotaging the economic stability of a region already struggling with movement restrictions. As of now, no official claim of responsibility has been made, but the synchronized nature of the attacks aligns with the tactical shift observed in recent extremist operations across central and western Mali.
MD/ac/fss/abj/APA