Militants targeted several locations in Mali, including its capital Bamako, on Saturday morning, in an alleged coordinated attack involving different extremist groups.
A witness told Reuters that two loud explosions and gunfire were heard shortly before 6 am (GMT) near Mali’s main military base Kati outside Bamako. Soldiers were reportedly deployed to block off roads in the area. The central town of Sevare, the town of Kidal, and the city of Gao in northern Mali also saw a similar commotion.
Mali is currently fighting insurgencies by the West African affiliates of al-Qaeda and Islamic State. The country is also struggling with a long-standing Tuareg-led rebellion in the north.
In a statement, Mali’s army said that unidentified “terrorist” groups attacked several places in the capital and other towns, without specifying the exact locations. It appealed to the citizens to remain calm while informing that the fighting was still ongoing.
Mali’s military leaders came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021 but militants continued to open frequent attacks on the army and civilians.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-led rebel alliance, posted on social media that its forces had taken control of multiple positions in Kidal and Gao. However, the claim is yet to be verified.
Four security sources also named the regional al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) as part of the attacks. The JNIM has not yet claimed responsibility but has been known to frequently attack military installations throughout Mali.
Spokespeople from the government and the army declined to comment.
A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said gunfires could be heard early morning near a military camp close to Bamako’s airport. The camp houses Russian mercenary forces.The Assimi Goita-led government had been collaborating with the mercenaries for security support alongside pursuing defence cooperation with Western countries.
Reuters had reported in March that Mali and the United States were negotiating a deal that would allow Washington to continue flying aircraft and droves over the country’s airspace to gather intel on extremist groups.
