The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group, has released a propaganda video showcasing its April 25 assault on the military camp and airport of Sévaré, located near Mopti in central Mali.
This offensive was part of a synchronized wave of attacks targeting multiple Malian cities, orchestrated jointly by JNIM jihadists and the Tuareg separatists of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). The footage underscores the group’s evolving tactical approach, as noted by security analyst Bakary Sambe, director of the Timbuktu Institute.
According to Sambe, the video demonstrates the JNIM’s growing boldness in urban warfare, particularly in high-stakes zones such as airports and military installations like Sévaré. It also highlights the group’s ability to disrupt not only Malian forces but also their international allies, including Russian contingents.
The coordinated strikes in April culminated in the recapture of Kidal by separatist forces and the assassination of Mali’s Defense Minister, Sadio Camara, in Kati, close to Bamako. Official reports confirmed 16 injuries resulting from the clashes.
Sambe emphasized that the JNIM has successfully engineered a prolonged state of limbo in Mali—neither full-scale war nor peace—enabling it to escalate offensive operations. He also pointed to the rise of Bina Diarra, one of the group’s spokespersons, as a deliberate move to position JNIM as a legitimate political actor rather than a mere insurgent force.
The release of this propaganda material coincides with a government crackdown, including bounties for information leading to the capture or elimination of JNIM leaders, reinforcing the ongoing counterterrorism campaign against the group.