Gunmen launched attacks on multiple locations in Mali's capital and other cities early Saturday in what appears to be a coordinated assault, according to residents and authorities.
Attacks in Bamako
Mali's army stated that "unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in the capital," adding that soldiers were "currently engaged in eliminating the attackers." An Associated Press journalist in Bamako heard sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle fire coming from Modibo Keita International Airport, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center, and observed a helicopter patrolling nearby neighborhoods. The airport is adjacent to an air base used by Mali's air force. A resident living near the airport also reported gunfire and three helicopters overhead.
Coordinated Nature
Residents in other cities reported gunfire and blasts on Saturday morning, suggesting a possible coordinated attack by armed groups. In the northeastern city of Kidal, gunmen entered and took control of some neighborhoods, exchanging fire with the army, according to a former mayor who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of his safety. The Azawad separatist movement has been fighting for years to create a state in northern Mali. A 2015 peace deal that once integrated some ex-rebels into the military has since collapsed.
Claims of Responsibility
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front, claimed on Facebook that its forces had taken control of several areas of Kidal and Gao. The AP could not independently verify this claim. A resident of Gao reported gunfire and explosions starting early Saturday, with the force shaking doors and windows. The resident said the gunfire came from the army camp and airport, which are adjacent.
Broader Context
Mali has been plagued by insurgencies from al-Qaida and Islamic State affiliates, as well as a separatist rebellion in the north. In 2024, an al-Qaida-linked group attacked Bamako's airport and a military training camp, killing scores. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have battled armed groups for over a decade, and after military coups, the juntas have turned to Russia for help. However, analysts say the security situation has worsened, with a record number of militant attacks and government forces accused of killing civilians suspected of collaboration.
