Rebel Fighters Establish Checkpoints Around Mali’s Capital, Seize Northern Town. BAMAKO, Mali – Al-Qaeda-linked rebel fighters have reportedly set up checkpoints around Mali’s capital, Bamako, and seized the town of Tessalit in the north.
The Jamaat Nusrat al — Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has urged Malians to rise up against the junta and adopt Islamic law, according to Reuters reports.
The latest incidents follow a series of attacks by JNIM and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), which have resulted in the death of Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara. Videos circulating on social media show armed fighters inside the Amachach base in Tessalit, with military vehicles seen driving around the town. Media outlets close to the Azawad armed movement claim the scenes depict fighters in control of the base after the withdrawal of army elements and Russia’s African Corps.
Russia is Mali’s principal foreign military backer.
On Thursday, JNIM claimed to have captured the base of Hombori in central Mali and taken over two checkpoints near Bamako, threatening to besiege the city. Russia’s African Corps refuted the claim, stating it had delivered ammunition and other items to Malian military personnel at a base in Hombori on the same day. Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Dakar, Senegal, noted the absence of a response from the Malian military to the rebel advances, describing it as surprising.
He mentioned that four major military camps in the north are now under the control of armed groups. Mali’s military leaders seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, with a brief period of civilian rule in between. Official authorities have yet to issue a statement on the latest reports.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Al Jazeera Staff and News Agencies
