Mali - Conflict Monitoring

Mali’s security situation deteriorated drastically during the coordinated terrorist attacks on July 4 which struck military points in Aguelhok, Anefis, Gao, Sevare, and Kenioroba. These attacks were carried out by JNIM and FLA and came in the wake of a deadly offensive that killed Defense Minister Sadio Camara in April 2026. As a result, the Malian military, which is also backed by allied forces like the Africa Corps, mounted widespread counter-campaigns, including 35 airstrikes in Anefis that were said to kill more than 200 terrorists. These attacks were severely condemned by the African Union, emphasizing that terrorism continues to pose an existential threat to the Sahel region. At the same time, the humanitarian crises are as acute and that has led the EU to allocate €75 million to help central Sahel address food insecurity and displacement.