Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (25 April), in an assault apparently involving jihadist and Tuareg-led groups.
Explosions and gunfire were heard shortly before 06:00 GMT near a major military base in Bamako, with soldiers blocking roads in the area.
There were similar incidents at around the same time in the central town of Sévaré, and in the northern locations of Kidal and Gao.
“There’s gunfire everywhere,” a witness in Sévaré said.
Mali’s army said “terrorist” groups had attacked several positions in the capital and elsewhere, without giving further details. It added that fighting was ongoing and urged people to remain calm.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-dominated rebel alliance, said on social media that its forces had taken control of multiple positions in Kidal and Gao.
Four security sources said the regional al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) was involved in Saturday’s attacks.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility from JNIM, which frequently targets military installations across Mali, or from Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP).
Mali has faced persistent instability since soldiers led by Assimi Goïta toppled former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020, following mass protests over corruption and the government’s handling of the insurgency.
Goïta later removed civilian leaders and assumed the presidency after a second coup in 2021, after which relations with former colonial power France deteriorated sharply.
France, which had led counter-terrorism operations in Mali, withdrew its troops in 2022. Since then, Mali has relied on Russian mercenaries for security operations.
Despite this, jihadist groups, including affiliates of al-Qaeda and Islamic State, have expanded their presence across the country.
Mali is also dealing with a long-running Tuareg-led rebellion in the north, where separatist groups seek independence for the region of Azawad, citing political and economic marginalisation.
Militants have staged coordinated attacks in Mali’s capital, Bamako, and several locations across the country, the army said on Saturday (...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) d...
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Frida...
The United States has issued an international warning accusing Chinese firms, including AI start-up DeepSeek, of alle...
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed...
Mali’s foreign minister has rejected claims that jihadists could soon capture the capital, calling them unrealistic. It was the government’s first detailed response to growing security concerns that prompted Western nations to advise their citizens to leave the country.
Turkish defence giant Baykar showcased its Bayraktar TB2, Akinci, TB3, and Kizilelma models at the BAMEX’25 expo in Bamako, Mali. The company provides advanced national unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to African countries, contributing to security and stability across the continent.
Mali's Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maiga, sharply criticised France and Algeria on Tuesday (11 November) for allegedly supporting terrorist groups operating in the Sahel region. His comments came during the opening of the Bamako Military Exhibition (BAMEX).
The U.S. State Department has ordered the departure of all non-emergency personnel and their family members from Mali, citing escalating security risks as al Qaeda-linked insurgents tighten a fuel blockade on the country.
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Two men were killed after the United States carried out a missile strike on a suspected drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Friday (24 April), the military said.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
China has urged the European Union to take its concerns seriously over new cybersecurity and digital regulations, warning they could create difficulties for Chinese companies operating in Europe.
Russia and Ukraine have swapped prisoners of war, according to officials on both sides. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 193 prisoners, including soldiers and border guards, had been returned from Russia, some injured and facing criminal charges.
Türkiye and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a wide-ranging strategic partnership agreement to boost bilateral cooperation, especially in defence. The deal, signed in London, signals a “new era” in relations between the two NATO allies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment