2025 Dioura attack
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On May 23, 2025, jihadists from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin attacked a Malian military base at Dioura. Around 41 Malian soldiers were killed during the attack.
| 2025 Dioura attack | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Mali War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Malian Armed Forces |
 Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 41 killed | Unknown | ||||||
Background
Dioura has been the site of several attacks by jihadist groups against Malian forces due to its location in the heart of the war-torn Tenenkou Cercle. The most recent attack, in 2023, was by Tuareg rebels against Malian and Russian forces, and killed nearly 100 soldiers.[1] Since the spring of 2025, JNIM has intensified their attacks on Malian forces, leading to a string of deadly attacks.[2]
Attack
The attack began before noon on May 23 at the Dioura military camp. The attack was led by Abu Mokhtar al-Ansari and Houssein Ghoulam, a former colonel in the Malian army and later a rebel leader in the Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA), who defected to JNIM in 2024.[3] The Malian defenders received no reinforcements during the attack and were obliterated.[4] JNIM fighter overran both the base and the nearby town of Dioura.[4] The attackers seized vehicles and weapons, and evacuated the area later that day.[4]
The Malian government did not issue a statement about the attack.[4] JNIM claimed responsibility shortly afterward, saying they killed 40 Malian soldiers.[4] RFI stated that according to the head of the Malian military camp and his deputy, the death toll was 41 soldiers killed.[4]