Extremists kill dozens of soldiers at a Mali military base, sources say
Extremists have killed dozens of soldiers in an attack on a military base in Mali, civil society and military sources said on Tuesday, in the latest militant violence in West Africa's restive Sahel region.
The attack on Sunday on the base in Boulkessi, near the border with Burkina Faso, killed at least 60 soldiers and wounded 40 more, a civil society activist in the area told The Associated Press.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to reporters.
The al Qaeda-linked JNIM group claimed responsibility.
A military source told the AP there were around 280 soldiers in the base, and 'all of those who didn't die were taken prisoner by the terrorists'.
Mali's army acknowledged the attack in a statement on Monday, adding that soldiers had fought 'to their last breath'. It did not provide an exact death toll.
Mali, along with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, has battled an insurgency by armed groups, including some allied with al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, they have expelled French forces and turned to Russia's mercenary units for security assistance.
In a separate attack on Monday, JNIM claimed responsibility for co-ordinated attacks on a military airport, a military base and army checkpoints in the northern town of Timbuktu.
Mali's army said on social media it repelled the attack and that 13 extremists had been killed. It did not say whether any soldiers were killed.
A hospital employee in the town said one soldier died of his wounds and 10 other people were wounded.
Timbuktu residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw armed men enter the town on motorcycles. They spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals.
Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Centre for the New South, said the high level of co-ordination in the two attacks shows that JNIM had been planning them for a while.
Attacks by extremists have been on the rise in Mali and neighbouring Burkina Faso in recent weeks. JNIM has established a strong presence in both.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Incredible satellite pics show the aftermath of ‘devastating' strikes on Iranian nuclear bases after massive US blitz
ASTONISHING satellite pictures have emerged of the aftermath of the US's "devastating" strikes on Iranian nuclear bases. 11 A new series of satellite images has revealed the precision of the US attacks on Iran's primary nuclear facility Credit: maxar technologies 11 Two clusters of six craters show where the bombs were dropped Credit: maxar technologies 11 The Isfahan nuclear technology in Iran before U.S. strikes Credit: AP 11 Six B-2 stealth bombers descended over Iran Bunker buster bombs were Also hit were the nuclear plants at Natanz and Isfahan, which Israel had already targeted with its own missiles. US submarines also launched around 30 Tomahawk missiles in a coordinated air-and-sea operation. Trump declared that the Fordow plant is now "gone" and all the night's targets were "obliterated". Read more on World Satellite imagery of the Two clusters of at least six holes are seen at the Fordow nuclear site, where the massive 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs were dropped. Bombs of this kind are believed to be able to penetrate about 200 feet below the surface before exploding. Following the bombing, Sir Keir Starmer reinstated his commitment to making Iran nuke-free. Most read in The US Sun He, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, released a joint statement following the US bombings on Iran. It read: "We have discussed the latest developments in the Middle East earlier today. We reiterate our commitment to peace and stability for all countries in the region. We affirm our support for the security of Israel. "We have consistently been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and can no longer pose a threat to regional security. "Earlier today, the United States conducted targeted military strikes against nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Our aim continues to be to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. "We call upon Iran to engage in negotiations leading to an agreement that addresses all concerns associated with its nuclear program. We stand ready to contribute to that goal in coordination with all parties. "We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region. We will continue our joint diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and ensure the conflict does not intensify and spread further." US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said He added Trump has been clear that "any Hegseth said: 'Iran would be smart to heed those words. He's said it before, and he means it.' The Defence Secretary went on to praise the US leader, calling it "bold and brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back". He urged: "When this President speaks, the world should listen." US warns it WILL strike again and world 'should listen to Trump' Iran's foreign minister Abbas Arghchi has said he is going to Russia today to meet mad leader Putin. He revealed: 'I'm going to Moscow this afternoon, and I have a meeting with President Putin tomorrow morning.' Arghchi called Moscow a 'friend of Iran,' adding 'we always consult with each other'. Fears loom that the conflict could spiral into a world war, with Putin puppet Dmitry Medvedev making a veiled threat to supply Iran with nuclear weapons. He said: "A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their nuclear weapons." After declaring the He said in a nationally televised speech at the White House: " "There will be 11 A closer satellite view shows holes and craters on a ridge at Fordow underground Credit: Reuters 11 President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington after the strikes 11 Trump addressed the world after announcing the strikes 'Remember there are many targets left. Tonight's was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal. 'But if 'Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes. There's no military in the world that could have done what we did tonight." And shortly after speaking on-camera, he posted to Truth Social: "This cannot continue. There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. "Remember, "But if peace does not come quickly we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill." Meanwhile Iran's foreign minister Abbas Arghchi dubbed the strikes "outrageous and will have everlasting consequences". He also called the military action "a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations". 11 Imagery shows where the bombs likely entered before pummelling Credit: maxar technologies 11 The Isfahan nuclear technology center in Iran after U.S. bombardment Credit: AP 11 Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant in Iran before the US blitz 11
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Operation Midnight Hammer: How Trump carried out unprecedented Iran attack using decoys in 37-hour covert mission
AMERICA'S colossal bomb raid on Iran's key nuclear sites was a masterclass in military might and strategy "months in the making", officials said. Covert tactics and the world's biggest conventional bombs came together in a "spectacular success", according to Trump, which caught the Iranians completely off-guard. 8 14 B-2 bombers were joined by more than 100 escort and support aircradr Credit: Reuters 8 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation had been months in the planning Credit: AP 8 Satellite pictures show Iran's Fordow nuclear facility after it was blitzed Credit: AFP 8 Iran has sworn " While the world now waits to see how Iran and its General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said: 'This was a complex and high-risk mission carried out with exceptional skill and discipline by our Joint Force." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said: "Our B-2s went in and out and back without the world knowing at all." read more on israel-iran The mission was simple: to inflict serious damage on Plans were worked for months, and the key groundwork was laid by Trump on Thursday when he announced a two-week delay to his decision about striking Iran . It's now clear that was a ploy to lull the regime into a false sense of security. The full mobilisation began on Friday night when a unit of B-2 bombers took off from the US at midnight. Most read in The US Sun Some of the planes flew west towards the Pacific, leading analysts to suggest they might be heading to the UK's Diego Garcia base - but that was a decoy. Only "an extremely small number of planners and key leaders" knew the truth about the ruse, General Caine said. Trump's shock Iran strikes take us to bring of global conflict and will strengthen Axis of Evil alliance, experts warn The actual fleet comprised of seven B-2 spirit bombers, which quietly set off east over the Atlantic. Each was manned by a crew of two, but the pilots were instructed to stick to minimal communication to avoid detection. It was an 18-hour non-stop journey to reach the target area, so the bombers had to refuel multiple times in the air by linking up with escort and support aircraft. Mid-air synchronisation is difficult enough, but crews had to maintain minimal comms whilst lining up. At half past midnight Iranian time, a US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles at the Isfahan nuclear site in east Iran. This coincided with the bomber squad entering Iranian airspace - undetected. 8 Trump played a feint by suggesting he would mull the strikes for two weeks Credit: Splash 8 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has refused to surrender and now says diplomacy is off the cards Credit: AP Decoy and scout planes swooped out ahead of the main unit to scan for and distract any awaiting Iranian defence jets - but there were none. The protection group stood ready to launch preemptive fire on any surface-to-air threats, such as air defence systems, but not a single shot was fired at the operatives. Go-time was 2:10am - the midst of the Iranian night. Over a period of just 25 minutes, the bombers released their powerful payload. Officials revealed that about 75 precision-guided weapons were unleashed in total. Amongst these were 14 of the famed "bunker-buster" bombs dropped on the mountain-fortress Fordow plant. Israel had not even attempted to destroy this facility, buried beneath 300ft of rock and steel, because it knew only US's superbombs could do the job. The B-2s were programmed to drop one bomb, followed by another shortly afterwards onto the exact same point of impact. 8 Residential buildings in Tel Avid were damaged by Iranian missiles the morning after the US strikes Credit: Getty 8 A graphic displayed by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demonstrating the operation Credit: Getty It was the first time that the 30,000-pound GBU, 57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) had been deployed in a live combat situation. Caine said: 'Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice. 'We will defend ourselves. The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority. 'This mission demonstrates the unmatched reach, coordination and capability of the United States military. 'In just a matter of weeks, this went from strategic planning to global execution. 'This operation underscores the unmatched capabilities and global reach of the United States military."
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Trump's shock Iran strikes take us to brink of global conflict and will strengthen Axis of Evil alliance, experts warn
TRUMP'S historic strikes against Iran could push the world to the brink of global conflict, experts have warned. Wounded Iran has vowed to fight on, and at this very moment will be calling upon 7 The Ayatollah has refused to back down even in the face of the US's decisive action Credit: AFP 7 Putin will be eager for Iran to disrupt the global oil industry Credit: AP While Israel has stamped out much of Iran's power in the Middle East, the regime retains formidable allies with equally Experts believe Trump's strikes could force the axis of evil closer together, and set in motion a chain of events that embroils more countries in the conflict. Philip Ingram, a global defence expert, told The Sun: 'Iranian ballistic missiles will not reach the United States and therefore to try and respond to the United States attack Iran 's going to have to do something different. "It'll bring its axis of evil. That means Iran, Russia , North Korea and China . raed more in israel-iran "We are a couple of feet further up the escalation ladder towards a global conflict." North Korea showed its willingness to get involved with other wars when Kim sent 12,000 troops over to fight on Russia 's front line with Ukraine . With Iran increasingly desperate, North Korea could step in and provide military aid such as "missile technology ", Ingram said. Russia has been one of Iran's most vocal allies, and has warned all along that regime change would be "unacceptable". Most read in The US Sun The Kremlin said the assassination of Iran's supreme leader would "open the Pandora's box". Ingram said that 'Iran and Russia will join forces to try and cause as much disruption in different countries as possible." Watch Trump hail 'very successful' bombing on Iran's nuke bases Russia is well-versed in the dark arts, and has propagated a campaign of sabotage against the West, so would have plenty to teach Iran. Forcing Iran and Russia closer together is not the only way US strikes could impact on Putin. Ingram said: 'The escalating conflict helps Russia by moving Russia-Ukraine further down the agenda so that people aren't focusing on it. 'It also ties up international geopolitical organisations and politicians in a complex Middle East situation - so again they don't have the capacity to focus on what Russia's doing in Ukraine ." Chip Chapman said that the most immediate threat to western allies would be if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz - which could even see the UK dragged into the conflict. He said: "20 percent of the world's oil runs through the strait. Closing it could have huge implications for the oil price. 'And that's where the Brits may get involved. If the Iranians were to try and close the Strait of Hormuz, there would be a definite ask from the Americans to the Brits." 7 President Donald Trump ordered major strikes against Iranian nuclear targets Credit: AP 7 Iran struck back almost immediately with waves of missiles into Israel - causing serious damage in Tel Aviv Credit: Getty Russia would likely back Iran's decision to close the strait, because an increase in oil prices would help fund its activities, Ingram explained. For many years Iran enjoyed considerable power in the Middle East through its proxies across the region. Two of the key players were Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon - but over the past 20 months Israel has seriously crippled them. However, Ingram says the Houthis in Yemen still pose a threat to the world other. He said: "I think we will see a massive uptake in Houthi activity in disrupting international shipping in the Red Sea." Experts have also warned that the strikes could prove a "slippery slope" and commit the US to pursuing more extreme military goals in Iran - such as overthrowing the regime. 7 Houthi supporters hold anti-US and Israel placards during a protest this week Credit: EPA 7 Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted following the US strikes Credit: Reuters Laura Blumenfeld, a Middle East analyst at the Johns Hopkins School, said: "Beware mission creep, aiming for regime change and democratization campaigns . "You'll find the bones of many failed US moral missions buried in Middle East sands." US-driven regime change would likely drive a wedge further between the West and the Islamic world - as was the case with Iraq - the experts suggest. Ingram said: "If there Ayatollah was killed it could change the whole way the government is set up in Iran, like we had with the fall of the Shah. "Then you whatever comes in next could be worse than what's in now and more polarised." 7 The US strikes could also prove a spark to other flash points around the world - such as the China-Taiwan tensions. Ingram said 'China will likely sit back and wait to see what's happening, to begin with. "Xi Jinping might think the international community is so tied up in the Middle East, that he has a window of opportunity, and he might try and take Taiwan. 'The world is not just a more febrile place, but the potentials for a series of events to happen to take us into a global conflict have just become even more complex to try and analyse. 'We haven't moved away from conflict. We have moved away from a despot regime getting towns on nuclear weapons, but it's not made the world immediately safer. 'What happens over the coming days and weeks will let us understand as to whether we have moved back from the brink of a global conflict or move further forward.'
