Al-Qaeda Affiliate GSIM Claims Casualties In Assaults On Armed Forces In Mali, Togo, Benin

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On August 11, 2024, the Al-Zallaqa Media Foundation, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the African Sahel, Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimeen (the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims – GSIM), published statements claiming responsibility for recent attacks in Mali, Togo, and Benin.

Four Soldiers Killed In Southwestern Mali

Al-Zallaqa claimed[1] that operatives of the group assaulted a "security point" of the Malian army that morning in Yelimane, in Mali's Kayes region. They killed four soldiers, burned a military vehicle, and seized four military vehicles, a 12.7mm weapon, two PK machine guns, two RPG launchers, seven RPG shells, 12 Kalashnikovs, ten PK chains, six ammunition boxes, 46 magazines, and a motorcycle.

Four photos displayed[2] spoils taken in the attack, including vehicles, weapons, ammunition, and cellphones.

GSIM IED Attack Targets Armed Forces In Northern Togo

Al-Zallaqa claimed[3] that on August 6, GSIM operatives carried out an IED attack against Togolese army forces in Kankanti, Kpendjal prefecture, in Togo's Savanes region. Several soldiers were killed and a building destroyed. An attached photo showed the ruins of the building.

Assault On Beninese Army Kills Two Soldiers

A third statement by Al-Zallaqa detailed[4] that GSIM operatives assaulted a base of the Beninese army in Porga, in Benin's Atakora department, on August 8, killing two soldiers and seizing a PK machine gun, three Kalashnikovs, and additional equipment. A photo of seized weapons and ammunition was attached.

On July 27, GSIM claimed responsibility for a same-day "qualitative ambush" in Mali's Kidal region, which reportedly killed 60 forces of the Malian army and Russia's Wagner private military company (PMC).[5] A July 22 statement by the group claimed that "at least" six soldiers were killed in a July 20 attack it carried out in northern Togo.[6]