Residents reported intense fighting in the early hours of the day. «This was a terrorist attack. It began at 5:00 AM with heavy explosions and continuous gunfire,» said a San resident, adding that «calm has since returned.» In an official statement, the Malian army described the incident as a «failed attempt to breach the San FAMa base on August 9 at 5:30 AM.» The military claimed a «strong counterattack by FAMa forces» had repelled the assault, asserting that «the situation is now under control.»

The assault claimed by jihadist fighters

The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated organization. In their statement, the group asserted they had «fully seized a Malian military barracks in San, located in the Ségou region, early Sunday morning.» Just weeks prior, on July 18, at least 50 soldiers were killed in northern Mali when a military convoy was ambushed by the JNIM and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). This remains one of the deadliest attacks on Malian forces since the conflict began.

Mali has grappled with a severe security crisis since 2012, fueled by violence from groups linked to Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, local criminal factions, and Tuareg independence movements. The turmoil has deepened an economic crisis in the country. Following two military coups in 2020 and 2021, the nation has been governed by a junta that vowed to restore security and preserve territorial integrity.