Mali Industrial Sites Attacked, Civilians Kidnapped in Western Region. Timbuktu, Mali — January 13, 2026 Gunmen launched a series of attacks on three industrial sites in Mali’s western region over the weekend, resulting in significant damage and the abduction of civilians, according to local sources.
The Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, is suspected of orchestrating the attacks as part of efforts to disrupt the West African nation’s economy.
The incidents occurred in the Kayes region, where nearly 160 attackers on motorbikes targeted the plants, causing “enormous “damage, a Malian security source told AFP. Ibrahima Diawara, CEO of a calcium carbonate, lime, and plaster production plant near Bafoulabe, confirmed that his facility suffered “considerable damage. Two other plants in the same area were also attacked and set on fire, “Diawara.
According to Wamaps, a group of West African journalists specializing in security news, three people were kidnapped during the attacks, while a local official from the Kayes region cited four civilians as the number of abductions.
The jihadist group has been imposing a fuel blockade and targeting industrial and mining sites in Mali for several months.
In June, JNIM threatened to attack industries and foreign companies operating in Mali without its authorization.
Since then, numerous industrial sites have been attacked, and several civilians, mostly foreigners, have been kidnapped, mainly in the west of the country. These kidnappings have provided the jihadists with a means to finance their activities through ransom payments.
The fuel blockade imposed by JNIM since September has caused significant disruptions, with Bamako experiencing major fuel shortages in October and November, leading to power cuts and economic paralysis in the capital.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the weekend attacks or abductions.
The government has sent reinforcements to the area and officials have not yet commented on the incident. Further details are expected as the situation develops.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
