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JNIM militants attacked Mali's largest prison, holding high-value prisoners, and blocked food trucks to Bamako. The assault is part of a second wave of violence in two weeks, following attacks on military bases and the killing of Defense Minister Sadio Camara. The blockade threatens a humanitarian crisis across the country.
After a series of coordinated attacks by JNIM and Tuareg separatists, Mali's military leader Assimi Goita has taken over as defense minister following his predecessor's death. The violence, which has killed at least 23 people besides the minister, is the worst security crisis since 2012. The government is conducting arrests and seeking to stabilize security amid reports of civilian suffering and hunger.
Mali has begun investigating five soldiers, including three active-duty personnel, for suspected links to last week's coordinated attacks on military bases across the country. The attacks, which killed the defense minister and forced Russian-backed forces from Kidal, were claimed by al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM and separatist groups, raising fears of further instability.
Violence in Mali surged as an al-Qaeda-linked group and separatists killed the defense minister and captured Kidal. This piece profiles key figures in the military, government, and rebel factions shaping the crisis.
