bamakoReuters —
Mali’s military said Saturday morning that militants carried out attacks in the country’s capital Bamako and several locations in the hinterland, in what appeared to be a coordinated attack involving multiple groups.
Just before 6 a.m. GMT, two large explosions and sustained gunfire were heard near Mali’s main military base, Kati, on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, Reuters witnesses said, prompting soldiers to call in and block roads in the area.
Around the same time, similar riots occurred in the central towns of Sevare, Kidal, and Gao in northern Mali. “There were gunshots everywhere,” said a witness from Sevarre.
Mali is battling an insurgency by the West African al-Qaeda affiliate and Islamic State. It also addresses the much longer history of Tuareg-led rebellions in the north.
Mali’s military said in a statement that an unidentified “terrorist” group attacked the capital and multiple locations across the country, without specifying the locations. He said fighting was continuing and asked the public to remain calm.
Mali’s military leaders took power after coups in 2020 and 2021 and vowed to restore order, but armed groups continue to carry out frequent attacks on troops and civilians.
Mohamed Elmaoud Ramadan, a spokesman for the Tuareg-majority rebel coalition Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA), said on social media that his forces had captured several strongholds in Kidal and Gao. Reuters could not independently verify this claim.
Four security officials said the regional al-Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslim (JNIM) was also involved in Saturday’s attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from JNIM or the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISSP), which frequently attacks military facilities in much of Mali.
A government spokesperson and Malian military spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Residents said gunshots were also heard early Saturday morning near a military camp near Bamako airport where Russian mercenaries are stationed.
“You can hear gunshots towards the military camp. Not the airport itself, but the camp securing the airport,” said the resident, who asked not to be identified for security reasons.
The government led by Assimi Goita initially relied on Russian mercenaries for security assistance, refusing defense cooperation with the West.
Recently, it has been pursuing closer ties with the United States.
Reuters reported in March that Mali and the United States were close to a deal that would allow Washington to resume flying planes and drones over the West African country’s airspace to gather intelligence on jihadist groups.
