The town of Nioro du Sahel in southern Mali was struck by a violent attack reportedly carried out by jihadists from the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM), a faction linked to al-Qaïda on Monday, news outlet “RFI” said.
This assault comes just one day after the group claimed responsibility for the death of a prominent religious leader from Nioro, Thierno Amadou Hady Tall, who had been abducted by the jihadists in late December.
The attack, which began shortly before 10 p.m. and lasted for about an hour and a half, was marked by heavy gunfire and weaponry. Residents’ video footage captured during the assault confirmed that the jihadists targeted key government buildings, including a gendarmerie post and the governor’s office, before fleeing the scene on motorcycles.
The Malian army claimed in a statement on Tuesday that the attack was carried out by a large number of “terrorists” who had infiltrated the city with the help of local collaborators. The military also stated that they had successfully repelled the attack, killing 30 jihadists and recovering several weapons. One Malian soldier reportedly died during the confrontation.
The military further displayed the bodies of several individuals, which they identified as jihadists. JNIM contested the Malian Military’s claim in their own statement, asserting that most of the dead were civilians who had been wrongly identified as jihadists by the military.
The images released by the military showed several bodies wearing civilian clothing—some in jeans or shorts—which further raised doubts about whether they were indeed combatants.
Reacting to Tall’s Abduction
According to the jihadists, Tall was accused of collaborating with the Malian military and the transitional government. The message, released by JNIM on Sunday, which was authenticated by several sources, including Malian security, suggested that JNIM had intended to bring Tall to an Islamic tribunal for judgment. However, they claimed that Tall died before reaching his destination.
Despite the group’s claims, the death of Tall has not been confirmed. The Malian Islamic High Council (HCIM) has yet to issue a statement, with several sources within the organization suggesting that they still harbor doubts and are awaiting further evidence.
Similarly, Tall’s family has not confirmed the news; his family stated that they are in the process of verifying the details. They have chosen to withhold further comment until they can be certain of his fate.
On the other hand, a Malian security official, familiar with the situation, expressed his belief that Tall had indeed died, citing the fact that he had been wounded during his abduction. Yet, some observers remain unconvinced, questioning the authenticity of JNIM’s statement and the circumstances surrounding Tall’s alleged death.
While uncertainty remains, the violence in Nioro du Sahel highlights the escalating tensions in the region, which has an inferno for jihadist activity. The situation underscores the fragile security situation in Mali and the broader Sahel region, which has been grappling with insurgencies linked to al-Qaïda and the Islamic State.