Armed groups launched coordinated attacks across Mali early Saturday, striking the capital Bamako and multiple regions in what authorities described as an ongoing and widespread assault.
The Malian army said its forces were actively engaged in repelling attackers targeting military sites, while witnesses reported explosions and sustained gunfire near the Kati military base, a key installation outside Bamako.
Additional unrest was reported in Gao, Sevare, and Kidal, indicating a simultaneous expansion of violence across the country.
Flights into Bamako were reportedly cancelled, and the United States Embassy urged citizens to shelter in place following reports of gunfire and explosions near the airport and surrounding areas.
The scale and coordination of the attacks appeared significant, with military sources indicating that armed groups targeted barracks and strategic positions in multiple locations at once.
Witnesses described heavy weaponry and automatic gunfire near the Modibo Keita International Airport, while helicopters and drones were observed operating over key military zones.
“There’s gunfire everywhere,” one witness said, reflecting the intensity of the situation.
Despite reports of panic among some military ranks, officials within the presidency stated that the situation remained under control.
The army confirmed that operations were ongoing and called on the public to remain calm and vigilant as forces worked to contain the attacks.
The violence marks a continuation of Mali’s long-running security crisis, which has persisted despite years of military interventions and political upheaval.
Since seizing power in 2020, the military government led by General Assimi Goïta has pledged to restore stability while distancing the country from former partners, including France and United Nations peacekeeping forces.
In their place, Malian authorities have turned to Russian-linked forces, even as insurgent groups continue to operate across large parts of the north and east.
Mali has also deepened regional military cooperation with Burkina Faso and Niger under the Alliance of Sahel States, forming a joint force to combat armed groups.
However, the latest coordinated attacks suggest that militant activity remains resilient and capable of striking multiple areas simultaneously.