Bamako, April 25 (SANA) Gunmen launched attacks on multiple locations in Mali’s capital Bamako and other cities on Saturday in what appeared to be a coordinated assault, according to residents and military statements.
The Malian army said “unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks” in Bamako, adding that troops were engaged in operations to repel the attackers. It later said the situation was under control, according to an AP report.
Residents reported heavy gunfire and explosions near Modibo Keïta International Airport, about 15 kilometers from central Bamako, as well as the presence of military helicopters overhead. The airport is adjacent to an air base used by Mali’s armed forces.
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security alert citing reports of gunfire and explosions near Kati and the international airport, urging American citizens to shelter in place and avoid the area.
Gunfire and blasts were also reported in several locations across central and northern Mali, including Kati, Sevaré, Mopti, Kidal and Gao.
In Kati, near Bamako and home to a major military base, residents said they were awakened by gunfire and explosions. General Assimi Goïta, head of Mali’s military authorities, resides in the town.
Social media footage showed armed convoys moving through deserted streets in some areas, while other videos appeared to show clashes in northern towns, though the material could not be independently verified.
A former mayor of Kidal said gunmen entered parts of the city and exchanged fire with security forces. A spokesperson for a Tuareg-led separatist movement also claimed its forces had taken control of Kidal and parts of Gao.
Kidal had previously been a stronghold of separatist groups before being retaken by Malian forces and allied Russian personnel in 2023.
Security analyst Ulf Laessing described the attacks as potentially the most significant coordinated assault in Mali in recent years, noting possible links between jihadist groups and Tuareg rebels. His assessment could not be independently confirmed.
Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, has faced years of insurgent attacks by groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Despite military-led governments in the three countries turning to Russia for security support, analysts say attacks have continued to increase, alongside allegations of civilian abuses.
In 2024, an al-Qaida-linked group claimed responsibility for an attack on Bamako’s airport and a military facility in the capital.
Abd.Rah
