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Africa: The Kati military camp attacked by jihadists at the gates of Bamako where living the colonel Assimi Goïta

A Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) patch worn by a soldier is pictured during the Operation Barkhane in Ndaki, Mali, July 29, 2019. Picture taken July 29, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

This Friday, July 22, 2022, there was an attack on the Kati camp in Mali, a high point in Mali’s political-military history. There can only be two outcomes. Either another coup against the junta led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, or a terrorist attack on a military base on the outskirts of Bamako.

A Malian army soldier (FAMa) during Operation Barkhane in Ndaki, Mali, July 29, 2019. © REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

According to the first reports, a complex missile and vehicle bomb attack was made against the Soundjata-Keïta camp, prompting a strong response from Malian forces.

Several complex and simultaneous attacks by jihadists have occurred north of Bamako in the last few hours (Douentza, Koro, Thy, Bapho, Ségou, Kolokani), all claimed by the support Group for Islam and Muslims, but without claiming responsibility.

This Friday morning’s raid would be a first if launched by one of the jihadist groups and one of their dormitories, whose presence is regularly reported. Since 2013 there has been no attack on the capital or its surroundings (Kati is about fifteen kilometers from the center of Bamako).

It testifies to a general deterioration in security, with the inability of the national security forces to control the insurgency, even with the support of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.

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