Armed Men Launch Coordinated Attacks Inside and Outside Mali Capital, Army Reports

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Militants launched coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several internal locations Saturday morning, according to the Malian army. The assaults involved multiple groups and were marked by two loud explosions and ongoing gunfire just before 6 a.m. near Mali’s primary military base in Kati, outside Bamako. Observers reported soldiers blocking roads in the vicinity.

Similar unrest was reported simultaneously in the central town of Sevare, as well as Kidal and Gao in the northern regions, with eyewitnesses noting heavy gunfire in Sevare. Mali continues to face insurgencies from regional al-Qaeda affiliates and Daesh, alongside a long-standing Tuareg-led rebellion in the north.

In a statement, the Malian military claimed that unidentified “terrorist” groups attacked various locations across the country, including the capital, but did not specify exact sites. The military indicated that fighting persisted and urged civilians to stay calm.

Since taking power through coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali’s military leaders pledged to improve security, yet frequent attacks on forces and civilians persist. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), claimed via social media that his forces seized multiple positions in Kidal and Gao. Independent verification of this has not been confirmed.

Sources indicate that Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda regional affiliate, was involved in Saturday’s assaults, alongside suspected Daesh operatives in the Sahel. Neither group has publicly claimed responsibility yet.

Officials from the government and military did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Residents near Bamako’s airport reported hearing gunfire early Saturday from a nearby military camp housing Russian mercenaries, though not directly at the airport itself. The government, led by Assimi Goita, has relied on Russian security support despite earlier reluctance to cooperate with Western nations. Recently, Mali has been moving closer to the U.S., with reports emerging in March of negotiations to allow Washington to conduct surveillance flights over the country to monitor insurgent activity.