Major jihadist attack in Mali’s capital killed more than 70, security source says

A major attack by an al Qaeda-linked group on a military police training camp and nearby airport complex in Bamako earlier this week killed more than 70 people and wounded more than 200, a Malian security source said Thursday. News from the West African nation has been restricted since a junta takeover, but the scale of the attack raises questions about the security strategy of Mali's transitoinal authorities.

A jihadist attack in the Malian capital targeting a military police training camp and airport left more than 70 people dead and 200 wounded, one of the highest tolls suffered by the security forces in recent years.

A security source speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that 77 people had been killed and 255 wounded in Tuesday's attacks in Bamako.

An authenticated confidential official document put the toll at around 100, naming 81 victims.

Thursday's edition of Le Soir daily reported that the funerals of around 50 military police students would take place that day.

Mali's military-led authorities have so far not released a precise death toll from the attacks, claimed by the al Qaeda-linked Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM).

The operation was the first of its kind in years and dealt a forceful blow to the ruling junta, experts say.

The Malian capital is normally spared the sort of attacks that occur almost daily in some parts of the West African country.

The general staff admitted late Tuesday that "some human lives were lost", notably personnel at the military police centre.


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