Mali’s armed forces said they killed 80 militants after repelling simultaneous assaults on seven military and police positions in the country’s west and centre on 1 July. The attackers—identified as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, al-Qaeda’s Sahel affiliate—used shellfire and drones against posts in Kayes, Niono, Molodo, Sandaré, Nioro du Sahel, Diboli and Gogui, according to an army video bulletin. JNIM claimed responsibility, saying it overran several barracks, destroyed more than 100 vehicles and seized rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and other equipment. Local reports and footage indicated heavy damage to the regional government headquarters and police station in Kayes before security forces regained control. During the raid on Kayes, armed men stormed the Diamond Cement Factory and abducted three Indian employees. India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the kidnapping, called the act “deplorable” and urged Mali’s junta to ensure the hostages’ speedy release. The Indian embassy in Bamako is in contact with Malian authorities and the victims’ families. Separately, JNIM said it ambushed a patrol of Russia’s Africa Corps north-east of Ber, claiming 18 Russians killed and 12 wounded. Moscow has not commented on the allegation. The flare-up underscores the widening reach of Islamist insurgents despite Mali’s reliance on foreign military partners and its own intensified counter-offensive.