MALI – Explosions and sustained gunfire have been reported in Bamako, the capital of Mali, as armed groups launch what appear to be coordinated attacks across the country. In a statement on Saturday, the military said “fighting is ongoing,” adding that “our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers”.
Witnesses told Reuters that explosions and gunfire were heard around the Kati military base, a major installation outside the capital. Soldiers have been deployed to block roads in the area. There are also reports of attacks in Gao and Kidal in the north, and Sévaré in central Mali, in what one analyst described as the largest jihadist assault in years.
One resident, who was travelling back to Bamako from Ethiopia, told BBC that all flights into the city were cancelled early on Saturday. It is not yet clear whether the reported attacks have directly affected the airport. The United States Embassy in Mali has advised citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel, citing explosions and gunfire near Modibo Keita International Airport and around Kati.
Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel Programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told the BBC that the incident appears to be the “largest coordinated jihadist attack on Mali in years.”
Mali’s military said it is fighting unidentified “terrorist groups” and that the situation is under control, though unconfirmed reports suggest clashes are ongoing. Videos circulating on social media indicate possible involvement of the jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and Tuareg rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the FLA, said on social media that its forces had taken control of several positions in Gao and Kidal. He also urged neighbouring countries Burkina Faso and Niger not to intervene. The BBC has not been able to independently verify these claims.
Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Assimi Goïta, who first seized power in a coup in 2020, promising to restore security and push back armed groups. The junta initially enjoyed popular support, pledging to address the long-running crisis sparked by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was later overtaken by Islamist militants.
A United Nations peacekeeping mission and French forces were deployed in 2013 to combat the escalating insurgency. Both have since withdrawn following the junta’s takeover, and the military government has turned to Russian mercenaries to help tackle ongoing insecurity. (BBC)
