Mali Jihadist attacks kills more than 70, security sources

Thursday's edition of Le Soir daily reported that the funerals of around 50 military police students would take place that day.

Mali's military-led authorities have so far not released a precise death toll from the attacks, claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

The operation was the first of its kind in years and dealt a forceful blow to the ruling junta, experts say.

The Malian capital is normally spared the sort of attacks that occur almost daily in some parts of the West African country.

The general staff admitted late Tuesday that "some human lives were lost", notably personnel at the military police centre.

JNIM claimed that a few dozen of its fighters had killed and wounded "hundreds" from the opposing ranks, including members of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.

The attack came a day after junta-led Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso marked a year since the creation of their breakaway grouping, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The trio have been under military rule following a string of coups since 2020, and in January said they were breaking ties with regional bloc ECOWAS.

Mali has since 2012 been ravaged by different factions affiliated to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Condemnation

Volleys of gunfire interspersed with explosions broke out in Bamako at around 5:00 am (0500 GMT) Tuesday.

JNIM fighters attacked a military police school and stormed part of the nearby airport complex, where a military facility adjoins the civilian one.

Gunfire continued for much of the day Tuesday near the airport, officials and an AFP correspondent reported.