Latest news with #al-Qaida-linked
4 days ago
- General
Extremists kill dozens of soldiers at a Mali military base, sources say
BAMAKO, Mali -- Extremists have killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base in Mali, civil society and military sources said Tuesday, in the latest militant violence in West Africa's restive Sahel region. The attack on Sunday on the base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, killed at least 60 soldiers and wounded 40 more, a civil society activist in the area told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. The al-Qaida-linked JNIM group claimed responsibility. A military source told the AP there were around 280 soldiers in the base, and 'all of those who didn't die were taken prisoner by the terrorists.' The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Mali's army acknowledged the attack in a statement Monday, adding that soldiers had fought 'to their last breath.' It did not provide an exact death toll. Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, they have expelled French forces and turned to Russia's mercenary units for security assistance. In a separate attack on Monday, JNIM claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on a military airport, a military base and army checkpoints in the northern town of Timbuktu. Mali's army said Monday on social media it repelled the attack and that 13 extremists had been killed. It did not say whether any soldiers were killed. A hospital employee in the town said one soldier died of his wounds and 10 other people were wounded. The employee spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Timbuktu residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw armed men enter the town on motorcycles. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South, said the high level of coordination in the two attacks shows that JNIM had been planning them for a while. Attacks by extremists have been on the rise in Mali and neighboring Burkina Faso in recent weeks. JNIM has established a strong presence in both.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Extremists kill dozens of soldiers at a Mali military base, sources say
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Extremists have killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base in Mali, civil society and military sources said Tuesday, in the latest militant violence in West Africa's restive Sahel region. The attack on Sunday on the base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, killed at least 60 soldiers and wounded 40 more, a civil society activist in the area told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. The al-Qaida-linked JNIM group claimed responsibility. A military source told the AP there were around 280 soldiers in the base, and 'all of those who didn't die were taken prisoner by the terrorists.' The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Mali's army acknowledged the attack in a statement Monday, adding that soldiers had fought 'to their last breath.' It did not provide an exact death toll. Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, they have expelled French forces and turned to Russia's mercenary units for security assistance. In a separate attack on Monday, JNIM claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on a military airport, a military base and army checkpoints in the northern town of Timbuktu. Mali's army said Monday on social media it repelled the attack and that 13 extremists had been killed. It did not say whether any soldiers were killed. A hospital employee in the town said one soldier died of his wounds and 10 other people were wounded. The employee spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Timbuktu residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw armed men enter the town on motorcycles. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South, said the high level of coordination in the two attacks shows that JNIM had been planning them for a while. Attacks by extremists have been on the rise in Mali and neighboring Burkina Faso in recent weeks. JNIM has established a strong presence in both.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Extremists kill dozens of soldiers at a Mali military base, sources say
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Extremists have killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base in Mali, civil society and military sources said Tuesday, in the latest militant violence in West Africa's restive Sahel region. The attack on Sunday on the base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, killed at least 60 soldiers and wounded 40 more, a civil society activist in the area told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. The al-Qaida-linked JNIM group claimed responsibility. A military source told the AP there were around 280 soldiers in the base, and 'all of those who didn't die were taken prisoner by the terrorists.' The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Mali's army acknowledged the attack in a statement Monday, adding that soldiers had fought 'to their last breath.' It did not provide an exact death toll. Mali, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, they have expelled French forces and turned to Russia's mercenary units for security assistance. In a separate attack on Monday, JNIM claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on a military airport, a military base and army checkpoints in the northern town of Timbuktu. Mali's army said Monday on social media it repelled the attack and that 13 extremists had been killed. It did not say whether any soldiers were killed. A hospital employee in the town said one soldier died of his wounds and 10 other people were wounded. The employee spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. Timbuktu residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw armed men enter the town on motorcycles. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South, said the high level of coordination in the two attacks shows that JNIM had been planning them for a while. Attacks by extremists have been on the rise in Mali and neighboring Burkina Faso in recent weeks. JNIM has established a strong presence in both.
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Suicide attacker in Somali capital kills 13 at a military recruitment center
MOGADISHU, Somalia: A suicide bomber in the Somali capital on Sunday targeted young recruits waiting to register at a military camp, killing at least 13 and wounding 21 others, witnesses said. Mogadishu has been repeatedly targeted by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which has waged an insurgency for over a decade. The group frequently attacks military and government sites as part of its effort to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law. 'There was a loud explosion, and immediately people began running in all directions. Bodies were everywhere,' said Abdulkadir Hassan Mohamed, a tuk-tuk driver who witnessed the blast. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A soldier identified only as Hussein, who was part of the camp's guard unit, told The Associated Press that many young recruits were waiting patiently in line. 'The explosion was devastating. I saw many casualties. The attacker disguised himself as a recruit before blowing himself up,' he said. He said the dead included five civilian passers-by. A similar attack in July 2023 at the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in Mogadishu killed 25 soldiers and wounded 70. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack.
North Wales Chronicle
18-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
At least 13 dead as suicide bomber targets army recruits waiting at camp
Mogadishu has been repeatedly targeted by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which has waged an insurgency for over a decade. The group frequently attacks military and government sites as part of its effort to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law. 'There was a loud explosion, and immediately people began running in all directions. Bodies were everywhere,' said Abdulkadir Hassan Mohamed, a tuk-tuk driver who witnessed the blast. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A soldier identified only as Hussein, who was part of the camp's guard unit, told the Associated Press that many young recruits were waiting patiently in line. 'The explosion was devastating. I saw many casualties. The attacker disguised himself as a recruit before blowing himself up,' he said. He said the dead included five civilian passers-by. A similar attack in July 2023 at the Jaalle Siyaad military academy in Mogadishu killed 25 soldiers and wounded 70. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack.
