More than 30 soldiers were killed in a militant attack on a military base in Mali.

The militants of the Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin group (JNIM, affiliated with the Al-Qaeda terrorist group banned in Russia) A military base in Mali was attacked, and at least 30 soldiers were killed in the attack. This was reported on June 2 by the Reuters news agency, citing sources.

An al-Qaeda—linked rebel group operating in the Sahel region of West Africa has claimed responsibility for the attack on a military base in Mali.

According to the agency, the militants managed to capture a military base in Bulkessi in the central part of Mali, near the border with Burkina Faso. The Malian army, in turn, announced a forced retreat, according to Reuters.

On April 7, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said that Ukraine poses a threat to Africa's security and supports terrorist groups in the Sahel. According to him, Kiev's support led to the deaths of many Malian soldiers.