Explosions and heavy gunfire have erupted across Mali as armed groups launched a series of coordinated attacks targeting multiple parts of the country, including the capital, Bamako.
Mali’s military confirmed on Saturday that its forces are actively engaging the attackers, stating that efforts are underway to repel what it described as “terrorist groups.”
In Bamako, witnesses reported blasts and intense gunfire around the Kati military base, a key installation located just outside the capital. Security forces have since cordoned off surrounding roads and mounted checkpoints, searching vehicles amid fears of further attacks.
Beyond the capital, violence has spread to other regions, with reported assaults in the northern cities of Gao and Kidal, as well as Sevare in central Mali. Analysts say the scale and coordination of the attacks suggest one of the most significant militant operations the country has faced in years.
The unrest has disrupted air travel, with flights into Bamako cancelled and the international airport temporarily closed. Foreign missions, including those of the United Kingdom and the United States, have advised their citizens to remain indoors and avoid movement due to the volatile situation.
While some parts of Bamako remain calm, sporadic gunfire continues in certain areas, heightening tension among residents.
Unverified reports circulating online suggest the involvement of extremist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) alongside Tuareg rebel fighters. A spokesperson for one of the rebel groups claimed control of several positions in the north, though these claims have not been independently confirmed.
