Could islamist fighters take Timbuktu?

Africa

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Issued on: 05/07/2026 - 20:21Modified: 05/07/2026 - 20:25

07:28 min

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1 min

Mali's military junta is facing one of its most serious security challenges in months. A wave of coordinated attacks by the jihadist group JNIM and its Tuareg ally, the FLA, has targeted army positions across the north of the country, raising fresh questions about the government's ability to contain the insurgency.

The armed groups have been seeking to expand their control since capturing the northern city of Kidal in May. There are also reports that they have overrun military positions in Gao, despite the backing of Russian fighters supporting the Malian armed forces.

The latest offensive comes as the junta appears increasingly under pressure, with concerns growing over the security of the capital, Bamako, and the nearby military stronghold of Kati.

Beverley Ochieng is analyst at Control Risks

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