Bamako – In a grave field development reflecting the scale of security deterioration in Mali, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, announced its control over the strategic town of “Tessit” in the north following the withdrawal of Malian Armed Forces. The group’s statement claimed the withdrawal ensued after a series of coordinated strikes targeting military and vital sites, noting they allowed forces a “safe” exit after surrendering weapons. This tactical collapse coincides with an unprecedented wave of violence sweeping various regions since the week’s start, placing the transitional authorities in Bamako under their toughest security test in years.
March Toward the Capital: Inside the Coordinated Operations of Armed Groups in Mali
The attacks did not stop at northern borders but extended to strike cities and military bases alarmingly close to the capital, Bamako. Obviously, armed groups have begun adopting a “joint operations” strategy to hit army strongholds and dissipate their efforts. As a result, panic and security tension have spread among the public, especially given the lack of immediate official comment from the Malian government on the fall of Tessit. The military establishment had only issued previous statements regarding “repositioning” forces around the Kidal region, which analysts view as an attempt to absorb the field shock.
