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BAMAKO. — Mali’s capital sustained a terrorist attack carried out by Al-Qaeda affiliate group, JNIM, which started yesterday morning.

Citing a security official, media reported that both the Faladié gendarme school and the military base near the Modibo Keita Senou airport were targeted.

Later in the day, the situation was under control and the army chief of staff visited the camp, where he urged to fight division and amalgams.

“I’m telling the Malian people that this attack was done on purpose and that we’re all Malians and we mustn’t let people pit us against each other, so we must avoid amalgams.” General Oumar Diarra also called on the residents to provide information to the authorities.

“I’m asking the population to provide information. I think their support has been very substantial, allowing us to pick up suspects here and there. The investigations are ongoing.”

The army said that it was conducting a security sweep after fighting off gunmen. This is the first attack in Bamako in years as terror groups seek to heap pressure on Mali’s military.  It comes a few days before the country’s Independence Day celebrations scheduled on September 22.  —Africanews.com