Kwala attack

Kwala attack
Part of Mali War
Date February 28, 2024 Location Kwala, Koulikoro Region, Mali Result JNIM victory
Belligerents
Mali	Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin
Strength
Unknown	100+ fighters
Casualties and losses
30–32 killed (per RFI and JNIM) Several dozen wounded (per RFI) 2 hostages	Unknown

On February 28, 2024, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attacked the Malian military camp in Kwala, a village near Mourdiah, Mali. The attack was the first suicide car bombing by the group since 2022, and was part of a campaign by JNIM to expand influence in Koulikoro Region. Over thirty Malian soldiers were killed in the attack.

Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, al-Qaeda's affiliate in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has had a presence in the Wagadou Forest on the Malian-Mauritanian border since the late 2000s.^[1] The group has attacked Malian forces in towns and bases surrounding the forest throughout the Mali War and before, with a notable attack in the district capital of Nara in 2015.^[2] Since late 2023, JNIM has intensified its attacks on Malian forces on areas surrounding the forest, mainly attempting to cut off communication along National Road 4.^[2] In October 2023, the group claimed to have captured a Malian and Wagner Group base on the road, and JNIM launched suicide bombers on motorcycles on Malian and Wagner forces on the road in December 2023.^[2]

The attack began early on the morning of February 28 with a suicide bomber in a car exploding at the entrance to the Malian base.^[3] Over a hundred jihadists raided the base after the bombing, seizing the camp and overrunning the Malian forces stationed there.^[3] JNIM looted weapons, ammunition, and equipment, destroying what they couldn't take away.^[3] Malian forces regained control of the base after the jihadists had abandoned it.^[3]

Malian officials confirmed the attack in a press release that same day, and stated that Malian forces set out in pursuit of the jihadists and that JNIM bases were located and destroyed near Fallou.^[3] AFP stated that due to the remoteness of the area around Kwala, details by JNIM and Malian officials were difficult to independently corroborate.^[3]

The suicide vehicle bombing utilized by JNIM in the attack was the first of its kind in the country since July 2022.^[2] The attack as a whole was a continuation of JNIM's campaign to expand influence in Koulikoro Region and break down Malian presence on National Road 4.^[2]

The Malian army did not report any casualties from the attack, with AFP noting that Malian officials no longer report casualties in attacks any more.^[3] RFI, citing local medical and civilian sources, stated that between thirty and thirty-two Malian soldiers were killed. Several dozen soldiers were wounded or missing as well.^[4] JNIM corroborated these numbers, stating that over thirty Malian soldiers were killed. On March 4, JNIM released images of two Malian prisoners of war.^[5]