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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 6d

It's not typical for JNIM's official mouthpiece, al-Zallaqa, to circulate such footage immediately. The caption specifically draws attention to the location of the attack, in a clear attempt to emphasise the group's ability to attack with impunity, even on major routes into Bamako

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 6d

Following its deadly ambush on the main road between Bamako and Segou in #Mali on 1 Oct, #JNIM circulated footage from the scene showing several bodies, apparently Malian soldiers

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks producer Kate Cornell for making another great episode! Full episode available on the iplayer here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Unspun World with John Simpson - Series 5: 24/09/2025

John Simpson analyses what effect the recognition of Palestine as a state might have, examines whether Syria is back in the international fold, and looks at the latest restrictions in Afghanistan.

www.bbc.co.uk

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 9d

Last week I spoke to @johnsimpsonnews.bsky.social on BBC2's Unspun World about Ahmed al-Sharaa's appearance at the UN, #Syria's reintegration into the international and MENA regional community, and prospects for the future Syrian social contract

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 13d

Despite the rise in attacks, #JNIM casualty rates in #Mali tend to be much lower than in Burkina Faso, possibly reflecting the relative vulnerability of VDPs in #Burkina. The average number of casualties in Burkina Faso throughout 2025 was 4.2 per attack. In Mali, it was only 1.5

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 13d

The numbers don't include attacks on non-military targets (eg fuel tankers, commercial entreprises) which continue to go unclaimed in JNIM's official media outlets - although they are referenced elsewhere in the group's media, in videos circulated locally in local dialects, especially Bambara

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 13d

For the first time in many months, #JNIM claimed more attacks in #Mali than in #BurkinaFaso so far in September, reflecting the group's strategic shift to the country since approximately June

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 24d

JNIM announced on 3 September it was blockading the cities of Kayes and Nioro-du-Sahel, home to about 130,000 and 50,000 people respectively in a significant escalation in its efforts to strangle the capital #Bamako of fuel and other imported goods

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 24d

Videos circulating appear to show #JNIM's Sunday attack on fuel tankers in Mali originating from Senegal

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 27d

- Nearly 80% of Mali's gold, its main resource, is produced in Kayes

- 30% of land imports, especially fuel and cereals, pass through National Road 1 from Dakar to Bamako

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 27d

- Kayes was Mali's first administrative region, created by Law No. 60-3-ALRS of June 7, 1960

- The region remains a strategic economic hub, contributing the second largest share of Mali's GDP after Bamako

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 27d

Interesting new report from the Timbuktu Institute explaining the importance of #Mali's western Kayes region - important context for understanding why #JNIM has been focusing its attacks on the region and the south in general in recent months

timbuktu-institute.org/index.php/to...

Rapport : Le JNIM à Kayes - Fragilisation économique et menace transfrontalière

Télécharger le rapport intégral Kayes, première région administrative du Mali créée par la loi n°60-3-A.L.R.S du 7 juin 1960, occupe une position stratégique tant sur le plan géographique que sociopol...

timbuktu-institute.org

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 27d

The detonation - in the "Aguelhok valley" - killed or wounded an unspecified number of "enemy forces" and destroyed a military truck, according to JNIM. Photos depict destroyed vehicles, with militants standing triumphantly atop or beside them

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · 27d

Breaking: #JNIM claims "significant" IED attack on a Malian army convoy accompanied by Russian Africa Corps troops near the northern city of Kidal, #Mali. Statement says attack took place on 9 Sept.

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 9

In recent months, the majority of JNIM's training propaganda has been from Mali, coinciding with an uptick in attacks in the country since approx. May/June. Graph of attacks collected by BBCM below

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 9

New photos from #JNIM's "Commander Mansour Ag al-Qasem training camp" in Mali. The group seems to be really trying to project strength in #Mali by pushing its training facilities there

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 9

The Malian army (FAMa) said yesterday that security forces were responding vigorously to "new tactics" by militant groups. This most likely refers to JNIM's weeklong fuel "blockade" in western/southern Mali (see below). Although FAMa spox downplayed the blockade as "propaganda"

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 8

Geographical map shows how recent #JNIM attacks in Mali have clustered around vital trade routes neighbouring to Mauritania, Senegal and (further south) Ivory Coast

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 8

JNIM's recent string of attacks on fuel tankers are not opportunistic. They are calculated and well-coordinated effort to choke Bamako of fuel, an essential import for the net fuel-importing country

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 8

Tree map shows #Mali's top fuel import partners: Senegal accounts for a 57% share alone, followed by Ivory Coast (24%)

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 8

Geographical map shows how recent #JNIM attacks in Mali have clustered around vital trade routes neighbouring to Mauritania, Senegal and (further south) Ivory Coast

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Sep 1

JNIM's latest training camp photoset showing fighters training in the “Khaled Birinti Camp”, #Mali. One pro-al-Qaeda source suggested the name was in “tribute” to a famous JNIM commander

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Aug 26

It addressed those who had "gloated" over its disappearance, warning Alawites, Druze and Christians that "the truth" will never disappear and Sharia law will prevail

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Aug 26

After almost exactly a month of silence, the #Syria based jihadist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah has released a new statement hinting that it had been absent due to unspecified "setbacks"

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Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Aug 21

Today's front page in local #Malian newspaper L'Independent: "#JNIM strikes again near the capital... 40km from Bamako"

Jacob Boswall @jboswall.bsky.social · Aug 21

#JNIM claimed conducting an attack on a military checkpoint near #Mali's capital #Bamako late on 19 Aug. No casualties claimed, but the location (Kassela) is significant. Attacks near #Bamako are relatively rare