On Monday the same group, Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), said it targeted the military in the historic city of Timbuktu, with residents reporting hearing gunfire and explosions. An al-Qaeda linked group says it carried out a major attack on the Malian town of Boulikessi and the seizure of an army base there. It added that weapons, vehicles and other items were seized, but did not name the group responsible for the attack. In an earlier statement, the army said it "reacted vigorously" to Sunday's attack, before "withdrawing" - suggesting a tactical retreat. In Monday's attack, JNIM said its fighters had attacked a military airport and Russian mercenaries.