What's happened
On September 17, 2024, Bamako, Mali's capital, experienced a deadly attack by the al-Qaida-linked group JNIM, targeting a military training academy and airport. The assault resulted in significant casualties, with estimates of up to 100 dead and hundreds injured, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region amid ongoing military coups and extremist violence.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reported that the attack resulted in at least 100 casualties, emphasizing the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel. The New York Times noted that this incident is the first major attack in Bamako since 2015, indicating a troubling trend of escalating violence. Al Jazeera highlighted the implications of the attack for humanitarian efforts, as a World Food Programme plane was damaged, reducing aid capacity. The Guardian pointed out that the attack undermines claims by Mali's military government of having stabilized the situation after expelling French forces.
How we got here
The Sahel region has faced escalating violence from extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and ISIS, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Military coups in these countries have led to a shift in alliances, with governments turning to Russia for support, further complicating the security landscape.
Common question
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What Happened During the Bamako Attack in Mali?
On September 17, 2024, Bamako, the capital of Mali, was rocked by a devastating attack attributed to Islamist militants. This incident raises numerous questions about the current security situation in Mali and the international response to such violence. Below, we explore the details of the attack, the military's response, and the broader implications for the region.
More on these topics
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Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of just over 1,240,000 square kilometres.
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Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It covers an area of around 274,200 square kilometres and is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north and west; Niger to the east; Benin to the southeast; Togo to the southeast; Ghana to the south
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Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, also known as Ansar al-Sharia in Yemen, is a militant Islamist group primarily active in Yemen and Saudi Arabia that is part of the al-Qaeda network.
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Niger or the Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa named after the Niger River. Niger is bordered by Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria to the south, Benin to the southwest, Mali to the north-we
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The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, officially known as the Islamic State and also known by its Arabic-language acronym Daesh, is a militant group and a former unrecognised proto-state that follows
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Bamako is the capital and largest city of Mali, with a 2009 population of 1,810,366. In 2006, it was estimated to be the fastest-growing city in Africa and sixth-fastest in the world.
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The World Food Programme is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.
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The Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south.