2025 Tessit attack
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On June 4, 2025, jihadists from the Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISGS) attacked the Malian military base at Tessit, killing at least 40 soldiers and 50 civilians.
Background
Beginning in spring of 2025, the al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin launched an offensive against Malian military sites in the south and center of the country.[1] Attacks on Dioura, Boulikessi, and Timbuktu killed over a hundred Malian soldiers in total.[2] In the southeast, however, where the ISGS is based, there were few attacks by the group against Malian forces; on May 25, ISGS killed over 50 Nigerien soldiers across the border in Tahoua Region.[3]
Attack
The base was attacked on the afternoon of June 4, with ISGS militants storming the base and sparking clashes with Malian and allied GATIA fighters.[4] The base was heavily damaged in the assault, and the attackers left with looted weapons and vehicles.[4] Malian officials confirmed the attack's existence, but only stated that "air patrols had violently struck the terrorist column" in their attempt to withdraw.[4]
RFI reported that around 40 Malian soldiers were killed in the attack, according to local sources.[5] Sahel expert Wassim Nasr stated that there were likely over 40 killed.[5]