Rebels Establish Checkposts Near Malian Capital, Seize Northern Town

Fighters linked to Al-Qaeda have reportedly established checkposts around Mali's capital, Bamako, and seized a strategic northern town.

The escalation marks a significant shift in the conflict as insurgent groups increase pressure on the country's military-led government.

According to an Al Jazeera report on Friday (May 1), fighters from the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) have surrounded the capital with checkpoints and taken control of the northern town of Tessalit.

Reuters reported that JNIM has issued a public call for Malians to "overthrow the junta government" and adopt Islamic Sharia law.

Advances in the North
The surge in violence involves both JNIM and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).

Verified video footage circulating on social media shows armed fighters inside the Amachach base in Tessalit, with several military vehicles in operation. The FLA flag was also seen being raised over the town.

Media outlets close to the Azawad armed groups claim that rebels took control after Malian government forces and members of Russia's Africa Corps—the junta’s primary foreign military backers—withdrew from the area.

Conflicting Claims over Central Mali
In addition to the gains in the north, JNIM claimed on Thursday that it had captured the Hombori base in central Mali and established control over two checkposts near Bamako.

The group had previously threatened to place the capital under a total blockade.

However, Russia’s Africa Corps issued a statement dismissing the claim regarding the Hombori base as "untrue."

They asserted that their helicopters delivered ammunition and supplies to Malian troops at the base on Thursday and evacuated soldiers wounded in combat with "terrorists."

The Russian statement further noted:

• JNIM and FLA are reorganizing and monitoring military bases.
• The groups are actively using propaganda to weaken the morale of the Malian army.

A Shift in Conflict Dynamics
Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Dakar, noted the surprising lack of response from the Malian military regarding the rebel advances.

"Four major military bases in the north are now under the control of armed groups. This is a massive shift," he reported, adding that there appears to be little to no resistance from Malian forces in the northern regions.

The current military leadership seized power through coups in 2020 and 2021. As of this report, the Malian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest insurgent breakthroughs.
Source: Al Jazeera/Reuters