Alleged jihadists attacked early Tuesday 1is July of the positions of the Malian army in several cities in the west of the country, including a military camp in Kayes, reported the army, residents and a police source contacted by the France-Presse (AFP) agency.
In a press release, the Malian army reports“Coordinated attacks perpetrated very early this morning against the FAMA positions [forces armées maliennes] » In seven cities: Kayes, Niono, Molodo, Sandaré, Nioro du Sahel, Diboli and Gogui. “The situations are closely followed”added the press release without more details.
“The jihadists are in the city! »»
Residents and a local political official have confirmed attacks in AFP in at least four of these cities (Kayes, Nioro, Sandaré and Gogui). “Since this morning, jihadists in pick-up have been attacking the Kayes military camp. We have left our shelter as a precaution [hangar] Located not far from the camp. It always pulls ”a police source told AFP on condition of anonymity. “Here, in Kayes, it shoots!” The jihadists are in the city! »»for its part told AFP a resident of Kayes, the main city in western Mali, close to the border with Senegal.
One of the localities cited in the army press release, Diboli, is located very close to the border with Senegal. Another resident of Kayes joined by AFP said: “We woke up in shock this morning. There are shots and, from my house, I see smoke that emerges towards the governor’s residence. The shots are intense. “The shots come from the side of the military camp and the two police stations. We are safe in our houses at the moment ”said another Kayes resident.
In a message on social networks, a local political official of the city of Nioro said: “The Nioro region wakes up in shock. The cities of Nioro, Sandaré and Gogui were attacked at the same time, 5:40 am for Kayes. »»
Mali has been prey since 2012 to a deep security crisis fed in particular by the violence of groups affiliated with Al-Qaida, the Islamic State (IS) organization and community criminal groups. It is added to a serious economic crisis. Two important alleged jihadist attacks had recently targeted the Malian army, including an assault coordinated on June 2 against a camp and Timbuktu Airport (North), in the aftermath of a bloody raid that had cost the country in the center of the country.
