Mali’s army on Saturday battled what it described as terrorist groups that launched coordinated attacks around the capital, Bamako, and other parts of the West African nation.
Reports say intense fighting were reported in a town near the capital where junta leader General Assimi Goita resides, as well as in other key cities in a country grappling with more than a decade of Islamist insurgency.
Tuareg rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition said they had seized the northern city of Kidal, though the claim could not be independently verified.The military government, which took power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has designated the FLA a terrorist organisation.
In a statement, the army said unidentified armed groups targeted several positions and military barracks in the capital and inland areas early in the day.“We call on the population to remain vigilant. Our defence and security forces are engaged in neutralising the attackers,” it said.
Clashes were reported in Bamako, as well as in Gao and Kidal in the north, and the central town of Sevare.
Heavy gunfire was heard in Kati, a suburb of Bamako where Goita has a residence. A local resident said fighters had overrun a military camp in the Samakebougou area, with intense exchanges ongoing.
The whereabouts of the junta leader were not immediately clear.Residents also reported a powerful explosion that damaged much of Defence Minister General Sadio Camara’s home in Kati.
His associates said he was not present at the time and was safe.Helicopters were seen flying over Bamako and near the international airport, where fighting was also reported around a nearby military base. Streets in the capital were largely deserted, with sporadic gunfire heard, according to a witness.
The FLA said in a statement it had taken control of Kidal, adding that regional authorities had retreated to a former base of the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
Mali’s military rulers are battling both Tuareg separatist groups and Islamist militants.
Analysts say the al Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has recently sought to strengthen ties with Tuareg factions. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, who had supported Malian forces since 2021, ended their operations in June 2025.
They have since been replaced by Africa Corps, an entity under the direct control of Russia’s defence ministry.
Since September, Islamist fighters have repeatedly targeted fuel convoys bound for Bamako, disrupting supplies and contributing to shortages earlier this year.
Leave a Reply