Mali’s Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga has called on citizens to remain calm and “not give in to panic” following a wave of coordinated attacks by jihadist fighters and allied Tuareg separatists.

Speaking after visiting injured victims in Kati, Maiga said the assaults were aimed at destabilising the country and undermining state authority. “The enemy’s objective was to seize power,” he stated during a press conference in Bamako, broadcast by state television.

The recent violence has intensified insecurity across parts of the country, with reports indicating that armed groups have taken control of the strategic northern town of Kidal, long considered a stronghold of separatist movements.

Authorities say efforts are underway to restore order and provide care for the wounded, while security forces continue operations to contain the situation. The developments underscore the fragile security landscape in Mali, where jihadist insurgencies and separatist tensions have persisted for years.