In a brazen assault that underscores the deteriorating security landscape in West Africa, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant organization has claimed responsibility for a large-scale attack on Mali's Malian military installations. The attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday in the town of Boulikessi, resulted in the seizure of an army base and significant casualties among security forces.

According to reports from sources close to the situation, more than 30 Malian soldiers were killed during the onslaught, though official confirmation from local authorities is still pending. The militant group Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), known for its affiliations with Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack through a statement released shortly after the assault.

In addition to the assault on Boulikessi, JNIM announced that it launched a coordinated attack on the historic city of Timbuktu on Monday. Witnesses and residents in the city reported hearing intense gunfire and explosions echoing through the ancient streets, signaling a new chapter of escalating violence in the region. Unverified footage circulating on social media purportedly shows militants storming the military airport in Timbuktu and engaging in fierce combat with security forces, including mercenaries reportedly linked to Russian private military companies.

Mali's military issued a statement condemning the Sunday attack, stating that it "reacted vigorously" but ultimately had to "withdraw," implying a tactical retreat amid overwhelming militant force. The statement praised the bravery of Malian soldiers who fought valiantly, some fighting until their last breath, to defend the nation's sovereignty.

Local sources revealed that JNIM fighters left behind numerous casualties and had managed to "clear the camp" of Malian troops. Graphic, unverified video footage showed militants entering the military base, with disturbing images of militants stepping over bodies, further illustrating the brutality of the assault.

The militants’ increased activity in Timbuktu, a city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks a troubling resurgence of violence in a region that was once controlled by jihadist groups. Timbuktu—widely regarded as a cultural and historic jewel of Mali—fell under Islamist control in 2012 before being recaptured. However, the city has faced renewed threats and sieges in recent years, reflecting the fragile security situation across the Sahel.

The recent spate of militant attacks coincides with warnings from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). During a press briefing last Friday, AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley expressed grave concern over the growing efforts by various Islamist groups operating in the Sahel to extend their reach to West Africa’s coastline. He emphasized that such expansion would dramatically enhance the militants' capabilities for smuggling arms and conducting trafficking operations.

Attacks across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have resulted in the deaths of over 400 soldiers since the start of last month, according to Reuters. The relentless violence underscores the region's escalating insecurity and the mounting challenge faced by governments battling well-armed insurgent groups.

As international actors voice concern, the fragile progress toward stability in Mali and the broader Sahel region remains under threat, with militants seemingly gaining ground and reaffirming their deadly presence across one of Africa’s most volatile zones.