Deadly jihadist assault leaves 10 soldiers dead in central Mali
At least 10 Malian soldiers were killed on Sunday in the town of San, located in the central Mali region of Ségou, following a dawn attack on an army base claimed by jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). Local security and community sources confirmed the losses among army personnel, though exact figures remain under review. «We sustained losses on our side, but assessments are ongoing. Our forces have regained full control of the area,» stated a military spokesperson.
- Terrorism
Residents reported intense fighting early Sunday morning. «This was a terrorist attack. It started at 5:00 AM. We heard continuous explosions and gunfire,» said a local resident of San, who added that «calm has now returned.»
The Malian army issued a statement describing the incident as a «failed assault on the San military base at 5:30 AM on August 9, 2026.» It confirmed a «strong counter-response by national forces» and insisted that «the situation is fully under control.»
JNIM claims responsibility for deadly assault
The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition, asserted it had seized control of the military barracks in San during the morning attack. This incident follows a July 18 ambush in northern Mali where at least 50 soldiers were killed when their convoy was targeted by JNIM alongside Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). That attack ranks among the deadliest faced by Malian forces since the conflict escalated.
Mali has faced worsening security challenges since 2012, driven by violence from Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated groups, criminal networks, and Tuareg separatist movements. The crisis is compounded by severe economic struggles. Following two military coups in 2020 and 2021, the transitional government—led by soldiers—pledged to restore security and preserve national unity.