Explosions and gunfire as armed groups launch co-ordinated attacks across Mali

Armed groups launched coordinated attacks across multiple locations in Mali, including the capital Bamako, the northern cities of Kidal and Gao, and central towns such as Sevare and Mopti. Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported, with fighting ongoing around key military bases, particularly in Kati near Bamako. Mali’s military confirmed efforts to repel the assaults, claiming to have routed the attackers and killed several hundred militants, though independent verification remains unavailable. The attacks have been described by analysts as the largest jihadist offensive in years. The assaults were carried out primarily by the separatist Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA), which seeks an independent Tuareg state in northern Mali, in alliance with the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). Both groups confirmed their joint operation, with FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane stating the offensive had been planned for months. The FLA claimed control over Kidal and parts of Gao, while fighting continued in other contested areas. The militants aimed to block army reinforcements by controlling strategic roads, with ambitions to expand their territorial hold further north. In response, Malian authorities imposed a curfew in Bamako and established checkpoints on routes to the airport amid heightened security measures. The attacks underscore the persistent instability in Mali, which has been grappling with jihadist insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as separatist movements in the north. The involvement of Russian mercenaries alongside Malian forces in Kidal highlights the complex international dimension of the conflict. The coordinated nature and scale of the offensive raise concerns about the capacity of Mali’s government and its allies to maintain control and security in the region.