Battle of Boulikessi (2025)

The attack occurred on June 1, when a number of JNIM fighters assaulted the Malian military barracks in the city. JNIM fighters released photos and videos of them roaming the base and of the fighting for it.^[4][5] The Malian army stated they reacted "vigorously to the attack in central Mali before withdrawing".^[4] Footage from the attack showed over 100 attackers participating.^[6] The jihadists looted the weapons in the barracks before retreating.^[4]

JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack on June 4, saying they killed over 100 soldiers and captured 22 others.^[7] Shortly after the attack, JNIM released a video of the captives divided into small groups. On June 10, they showed another video of 20 captured soldiers from Boulikessi.^[7][8][9]

According to RFI, between 75 and 90 Malian soldiers were killed during the battle for the base as of June 3.^[10] Following the discovery of new graves the next day, that toll was increased to 100 dead.^[10][4] RFI also stated that Russian soldiers from the Wagner Group were killed, although JNIM didn't publish any photos of Russian casualties.^[4] The Malian government hasn't issued any casualty figures.^[4]

The Malian government attempted to retake the Boulikessi camp on June 5, but was ambushed again and suffered several casualties.^[11] The base was abandoned on June 6.^[11][12]

On June 2, a day after the initial attack on Boulikessi, JNIM launched a similar attack on Malian forces in Timbuktu, hitting the Sidin Bekaye base and the airport.^[6]