Mali investigates soldiers over alleged role in deadly coordinated attacks

Mali is investigating soldiers suspected of helping jihadist and separatist fighters in coordinated attacks across the country, including a major April 25 offensive that hit multiple locations and caused casualties among senior officials. Authorities say arrests have begun as evidence points to possible internal military involvement. Rebel groups linked to al-Qaida and Tuareg separatists also claim new territorial gains in the north, worsening the security crisis. The conflict, which started in 2012 and spread across the Sahel, continues despite repeated military takeovers.

Mali authorities have launched an investigation into several soldiers suspected of collaborating with jihadist and separatist fighters during coordinated attacks that struck multiple parts of the country last week. The probe follows a large-scale offensive carried out on April 25 by a rebel alliance consisting of JNIM, a group linked to al-Qaida, alongside Tuareg separatist fighters. The attacks were described as the most significant in over a decade and appeared to be aimed at weakening the country’s military leadership, which came to power through successive coups during the COVID-19 era.
The coordinated assaults hit more than six locations across Mali, including areas close to the capital, Bamako. The violence resulted in multiple casualties, among them Defense Minister Sadio Camara and members of his family, highlighting the reach and intensity of the offensive. The simultaneous nature of the attacks also raised concerns about internal collaboration and security breaches within the armed forces.
According to the public prosecutor at the Military Court in Bamako, there is strong evidence suggesting that certain military personnel were involved in the planning, coordination, and execution of the attacks. Those implicated include active-duty soldiers, former officers, and individuals who had been recently dismissed from service. Authorities said arrests have already begun, while investigations continue to track down other individuals believed to have played roles as perpetrators, co-perpetrators, or accomplices.
The statement also indicated that a dismissed soldier who was allegedly involved was killed during one of the attacks, further complicating the investigation. In addition, officials have pointed to possible involvement of political figures, including Oumar Mariko, a well-known opposition figure currently in exile, although he has consistently denied any cooperation with armed extremist groups.
In parallel with the internal investigations, the security situation in Mali continues to deteriorate. The Tuareg rebels recently claimed responsibility for capturing a strategic military base in Tessalit, a northern town located near the Algerian border and an important transport and security hub due to its proximity to an airport. The reported takeover came after Malian government forces and their Russian-backed allies withdrew from the area, although authorities have not officially confirmed the withdrawal.
This development follows the earlier loss of the city of Kidal, another key stronghold in the north, which fell to rebel forces during the same wave of attacks. Over recent days, rebel groups have also disrupted major road routes leading to Bamako, increasing pressure on the capital and limiting military movement and supply lines. The groups have further called for a public uprising against the ruling junta and have demanded the introduction of Sharia law as part of their broader political agenda.
The conflict in Mali has its roots in a Tuareg rebellion that began in 2012 in the northern regions of the country. The uprising, initially driven by separatist demands and fueled by weapons flowing from Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, was soon overtaken by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaida and later the Islamic State. Since then, the crisis has expanded beyond Mali, contributing to widespread instability across the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso and Niger.
Frustration over the government’s inability to control the insurgency led to military coups in 2012, 2020, and 2021, with Colonel Assimi Goita eventually consolidating power and establishing the current military-led government. Despite promises to restore stability, the ongoing violence and territorial losses highlight the continuing strength of insurgent groups and the fragile security situation across the country.