At least fifteen members of Mali’s Defense and Security Forces (FDS) were killed on Thursday in a clash with jihadists in the Mopti region, near the town of Diallassagou. The soldiers were on patrol, tasked with securing local farmers heading to their fields, when they were ambushed by militants affiliated with the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).
The attack occurred near a hillside, where the jihadists, using motorcycles, vehicles, and on foot, launched a sudden and intense assault. The Malian army responded with heavy gunfire, resulting in a prolonged exchange. Reports indicate that one gendarme and fourteen national guard members were killed, with several others injured or missing. Sources suggest that the attackers suffered minimal losses.
This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in central Mali, where jihadist groups remain active, occupying localities, imposing their own laws, and holding at least 150 civilians hostage for several months.
