Malian soldiers successfully repelled an attack on a military base in the town of San on Sunday, killing approximately 40 militant Islamists. The assault, which began around 05:00 local time and lasted for about two hours, saw the army temporarily retreat before regaining full control of the base.
The jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, claimed responsibility for the attack. JNIM stated its fighters briefly took control of the base. However, Lieutenant Colonel El Oumrani, commander of the 23rd regiment in the San garrison, disputed this, insisting the base remained under army control despite a temporary tactical withdrawal. At least 10 soldiers were killed in the fighting, according to security and local sources.
This incident underscores the worsening security landscape in Mali, more than a decade after a jihadist insurgency first took root in the country's northern regions. JNIM has expanded its operations beyond northern Mali, now targeting central and southern areas. This demonstrates the group's growing ability to penetrate deeper into Malian territory, despite numerous military operations aimed at containing them. The country has been plagued by insurgencies since 2012, with significant parts of the north and east remaining outside government control.
Lieutenant Colonel El Oumrani confirmed the successful repulsion of the attack in a video statement. He urged local residents to remain vigilant, assuring them that the army had not abandoned its position. "The enemy was eliminated and the attack was successfully repelled. Around 40 terrorists were eliminated," he stated. He added that the camp of the 23rd regiment was secure and under the custody of the army.
The attack involved militants arriving on motorcycles and on foot, with some reportedly disguised in army uniforms to infiltrate the base. Witnesses quoted by French broadcaster RFI described the fighting taking place close to the camp. They also noted that while many militants were killed, others fled into houses or the forest. The army informed national broadcaster ORTM that the assailants used drones, heavy machine guns, and armoured vehicles to breach the base's perimeter.
Mali's security challenges intensified following a 2020 coup led by General Assimi Goïta, partly triggered by the government's failure to improve the security situation. In the aftermath, Mali rejected military assistance from France, its former colonial power, and instead sought support from Russia. This shift in alliances has not yet led to a significant improvement in the country's overall security, as evidenced by the continued militant activity and the recent coordinated attacks by jihadists and separatist rebels in April, which included the killing of Defence Minister Sadio Camara.