In brief
Mali's army has reported that multiple armed factions have initiated coordinated assaults, including in the capital Bamako and other regions such as Gao and Sevare. The military is actively engaged in countering these attacks, which have resulted in explosions and sustained gunfire, particularly near a major military base. The situation remains fluid, with flights into Bamako canceled and uncertainty over the attackers' identities. These incidents underscore the ongoing security crisis under the military junta that has struggled to regain control since its rise to power.
Armed groups have launched coordinated attacks across Mali, including in the capital Bamako, the country's army says. In a statement released on Saturday morning, the military said fighting is ongoing, adding our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers. Witnesses reported explosions and sustained gunfire early Saturday morning around the Kati military base, a major installation outside the capital, where soldiers have been deployed to block off roads. Reports also indicate attacks in Gao in the north-east and Sevare in central Mali. One resident traveling back to Bamako from Ethiopia noted that all flights into the city were canceled early on Saturday, though it's unclear whether the attacks directly affected the airport. The identity of the attackers remains unknown.Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who first seized power in a coup in 2020, promising to restore security and push back armed groups. The junta had popular support when it took power, addressing a long-running security crisis initiated by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which became complicated by the involvement of Islamist militants. A UN peacekeeping mission and French forces were deployed in 2013 to tackle the escalating insurgency but have since withdrawn under the military government, which has instead hired Russian mercenaries to handle the insecurity. Despite these measures, jihadist insurgency continues, leaving significant portions of northern and eastern Mali outside of government control.
