Mali's army reported on Saturday that unidentified armed 'terrorist' groups launched coordinated attacks against several military positions in the capital and across the country's interior. The military stated that fighting is currently ongoing as security forces engage the attackers.
Gunfire and explosions were heard early Saturday morning in multiple districts of Bamako. An AP reporter and local residents reported hearing heavy weapons and automatic rifle fire coming from the Modibo Keïta International Airport, located approximately 15 kilometers from the city center. France24 noted that a helicopter was seen patrolling over neighborhoods near the airport.
In the town of Kati, a major military installation outside Bamako, witnesses reported explosions and sustained gunfire. According to the BBC, soldiers have been deployed to block off roads in the Kati area to manage the situation.
Reports of violence extended beyond the capital. The BBC reported attacks in Gao in the northeast and Sevare in central Mali. The Malian army confirmed that the attacks targeted military positions in both the capital and several towns in the country's interior.
International and local response
The U.S. embassy in Mali stated it is monitoring reports of explosions and gunfire near the airport and Kati. The embassy advised all U.S. citizens currently in Mali to shelter in place.
Local disruptions were reported at the capital's air hub. A resident traveling to Bamako from Ethiopia told the BBC that all flights into the city were cancelled early Saturday morning, though it remains unclear if the airport's operations were directly impacted by the combat.
Security context in Mali
The identity of the groups behind the attacks has not yet been established. The Malian military issued a statement saying, "our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers."
Mali is governed by a military junta led by General Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a 2020 coup. Goïta's administration promised to restore national security and push back against armed groups, a mission that has faced significant challenges.
Since the junta took control, the UN peacekeeping mission and French forces have both withdrawn from the country. The military government has since employed Russian mercenaries to address the ongoing insurgency. Despite these measures, jihadist violence continues, leaving large portions of the north and east of the country outside of government control.
