Mali's capital, Bamako, and other cities experienced coordinated attacks early Saturday by unidentified armed groups, the army confirmed. Residents reported heavy gunfire and explosions near Modibo Keïta International Airport and in the military town of Kati.
The Malian army stated it was engaged in eliminating attackers and later reported the situation was under control. Reports from social media and residents suggest militant convoys moved through towns, with gunfire exchanges occurring in Kidal and Gao. Separatist movement spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane claimed control of Kidal and parts of Gao.
Analysts describe the event as potentially the largest coordinated attack in years, noting a concerning alliance between al-Qaeda-affiliated groups and Tuareg rebels. Mali, along with neighboring countries, has been battling escalating insurgencies from groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.