The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) positions in Farabougou and Biriki-Were were targeted in simultaneous jihadist attacks on Tuesday, August 19.
The attacks occurred amid ongoing pressure by Malian forces on armed groups in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGA) announced that the attacks occurred at approximately 5:20 a.m. in the central Ségou region. While details are still emerging, the JNIM, a jihadist alliance affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has claimed control of the town of Farabougou, the army headquarters, and affiliated militias.
These recent incidents follow a series of successful operations by the FAMa against jihadist groups. Since January 2025, the FAMa has intensified its operations against the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISIS), neutralizing or capturing several prominent figures in the Gao and Ménaka regions. On January 3, Mahamad Ould Erkehile, alias “Abou Rakia,” was arrested in Amasarakad along with several fighters and military equipment.
On July 1, the FAMa, supported by the African Corps, a Russian contingent officially integrated into the defense system, repelled coordinated assaults by the JNIM against seven strategic locations. During these clashes, more than 80 attackers were neutralized in Niono, according to the African Corps.
In the northeast, Abraham Boubacar, the leader of the ISIS Terrorist Action Group in the Tessit sector, was captured on June 29. Less than 24 hours later, “Abou Dahdah,” an ideologue and explosive device specialist, was neutralized near Ménaka. On July 21, Souleymane Ag Bakawa, alias “Soldat,” was also eliminated.
While these operations demonstrate the sustained pressure on the jihadist hierarchy, they also reveal the limitations of current security measures in the face of coordinated attacks. The General Staff of the Armed Forces (EMGA) emphasized the need for continued vigilance and cooperation with the public to consolidate military successes and ensure the security of the population and the integrity of the territory.
AC/fss/abj/APA