Mali's military junta is facing one of its most serious security challenges in months. A wave of coordinated attacks by the jihadist group JNIM and its Tuareg ally, the FLA, has targeted army positions across the north of the country, raising fresh questions about the government's ability to contain the insurgency.
The armed groups have been seeking to expand their control since capturing the northern city of Kidal in May. There are also reports that they have overrun military positions in Gao, despite the backing of Russian fighters supporting the Malian armed forces.
