Bamako, Mali. Militants staged attacks in Mali’s capital and in several locations across the country on Saturday morning, the army said, in what appeared to be a coordinated assault involving multiple groups.
Explosions and gunfire reported near Kati base
Two loud explosions and sustained gunfire were heard shortly before 6 a.m. (0600 GMT) near Mali’s main military base in Kati outside Bamako, a Reuters witness said. Soldiers were deployed to block off roads in the area, the witness said.
Unrest reported in central and northern Mali
Similar unrest was reported around the same time in the central town of Sevare and in the town of Kidal and the city of Gao in northern Mali. “There’s gunfire everywhere,” a witness in Sevare said.
Army statement and public appeal
Mali’s army said in a statement that unidentified “terrorist” groups attacked several positions in the capital and elsewhere in the country, without specifying locations. It said fighting was ongoing and asked the population to remain calm.
Insurgencies and political background
Mali is battling insurgencies by West Africa affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State, and it is also grappling with a longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in the north. 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.
Claims and attribution
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 the 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 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.
What impact will these attacks have on security measures in Bamako and other regions of Mali?