3 months ago
15
Extremists targetted a military training facility located in a a suburb of
Mali
's capital city Bamanko in the early hours of Tuesday.
Armed individuals tried to breach the security of the Faladie gendarme school, according to a military statement. The statement also mentioned that a search and clear operation is currently in progress to address the situation.
Later, the Army assured that, "The situation was under control".
However, they still urged civilians to steer clear of the vicinity as a precautionary measure.
"Early this morning, a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Faladie
gendarmerie school
. Mopping-up operations are currently under way throughout the area," said the army.
Faladie, located in southeastern
Bamako
near the main international airport, was the focus of the incident. Gunshots were heard across the city before dawn, as per Reuters, causing people heading to the mosque for morning prayers to turn back. The gunfire began around 0530 GMT, with some residents reporting that it came from the direction of the airport, while others said it originated from the vicinity of the gendarmerie. A security source mentioned that gunfire was heard in multiple neighborhoods, including areas close to the main airport, which was subsequently closed, according to another security source.
A security source confirmed gunfire in multiple neighborhoods and mentioned that the airport has been closed.
Mali has been combating an
Islamist insurgency
since 2012, which began in the north and has spread across the Sahel region. This conflict has resulted in numerous casualties and displacements.
Discontent with the government's handling of security issues has led to two coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, as well as similar events in Burkina Faso and Niger. Despite promises from new military leaders, jihadist attacks have intensified.
Recently,
Wagner mercenaries
, brought in for support, suffered casualties in clashes involving
Tuareg rebels
and the Malian army, which experienced heavy losses.
