Explosions and gunfire have erupted across Mali, notably in its capital, Bamako, as armed factions engage in what appears to be a series of coordinated assaults. The Malian military has confirmed that combat is ongoing, indicating a turbulent situation that has left civilians in fear and disrupted air travel in the region.
Ongoing Assaults Across Major Cities
On Saturday, reports surfaced of intense fighting near the Kati military base, located just outside Bamako. Witnesses described the chaos as explosions resonated through the area, prompting military personnel to cordon off streets and implement security measures. Further assaults were noted in the northern cities of Gao and Kidal, as well as in Sévaré, illustrating the widespread nature of the attacks.
A resident returning from Ethiopia shared with the BBC that all flights to Bamako were cancelled early in the day, raising concerns about the safety of the airport and the broader implications of the violence. The US Embassy in Mali has urged its citizens to remain indoors and avoid travel, citing threats around Modibo Keita International Airport as one of the critical flashpoints.
Largest Jihadist Offensive in Years
Ulf Laessing, who heads the Sahel Programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, characterised these events as possibly the most significant coordinated jihadist offensive Mali has experienced in recent years. The military’s statement indicated that they are combating unidentified “terrorist groups,” with initial unverified accounts suggesting the involvement of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Mus
