In Mali, Dioura came under attack in the early hours of 10 September. The base, one of the largest in the country’s central region, housed several hundred troops — roughly a battalion-sized force. Fighters from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) managed to breach the military compound following clashes. They claimed to have taken the position before withdrawing. Videos released by the group show its fighters moving through Dioura after the assault. Several bodies of soldiers are visible on the ground, installations are ablaze, and stocks of motorcycles were set on fire. These images confirm the jihadists’ presence inside the camp, though they alone cannot establish the full human toll.

Based on information gathered from two sources close to Mali’s Ministry of Defence, who spoke on condition of anonymity, more than 80 soldiers are believed to have died in the attack. That figure could rise further, according to the same sources. Several troops are also missing, while others were captured.

Army headquarters releases no figures on its losses

The Malian army has officially acknowledged the Dioura attack. In a statement, the general staff said it had launched “air-land operations against the assailants” and claimed to have neutralised “several dozen terrorists.” Motorcycles and pickup trucks were also said to have been destroyed. The general staff provided no details on the number of Malian soldiers killed, wounded, missing or captured. Russian mercenaries from Africa Corps, deployed alongside FAMa in several parts of the country, are not stationed at Dioura.

A position already hit by JNIM

The Dioura camp has already paid a heavy price in jihadist attacks. In May 2025, JNIM killed around forty soldiers during an offensive against the same position. The latest assault once again demonstrates the group’s ability to mass fighters against major military bases, temporarily overrun them and then withdraw. Dioura adds to a string of operations recently claimed by JNIM. The group notably announced an ambush on a Malian army and Africa Corps convoy near Sikasso. In Sofara, another attack killed at least eleven people among Russian soldiers and dozo hunters.