Share and Follow
On Saturday morning, the Malian capital of Bamako and several other regions experienced a series of attacks, which the Malian army described as a coordinated effort by multiple militant groups.
Witnesses reported hearing two loud explosions and continuous gunfire just before 6 a.m. near the Kati military base, located outside Bamako. In response, soldiers swiftly moved to secure the area by blocking off roads, according to observations from Reuters.
Simultaneously, similar disturbances broke out in the central town of Sevare, as well as in Kidal and Gao in northern Mali. “Gunfire can be heard everywhere,” noted a witness in Sevare, highlighting the widespread nature of the unrest.
Mali is currently facing challenges from insurgencies led by groups affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State in West Africa. Additionally, the nation is dealing with a longstanding Tuareg rebellion in its northern territories.
The Malian army issued a statement confirming that unidentified “terrorist” factions had launched attacks on several locations, both in the capital and across the country, although it did not specify exact sites. The statement urged residents to remain calm as fighting continued.
Mali’s military leaders took power after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security, but militants continue to stage frequent attacks on the army and civilians.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-dominated rebel alliance, said on social media its forces had taken control of multiple positions in Kidal and Gao.
Reuters could not independently verify this claim.
Four security sources said the regional al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) was also involved in Saturday’s attacks.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from JNIM, which frequently stages attacks on military installations throughout much of Mali, or from Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP).
A government spokesperson and a spokesperson for Mali’s army did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
GUNFIRE HEARD NEAR AIRPORT, RESIDENT SAYS
Gunfire could also be heard early on Saturday near a military camp close to Bamako’s airport that houses Russian mercenary forces, a resident said.
“We hear gunfire towards the military camp. It’s not the airport itself, but the camp that secures the airport,” said the resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.
The government led by Assimi Goita has leaned on Russian mercenaries for security support while initially spurning defense cooperation with Western countries.
Recently it has pursued closer ties with the US.
Reuters reported in March that Mali and the US were nearing a deal that would allow Washington to resume flying aircraft and drones over the West African country’s airspace to gather intelligence on jihadist groups.