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In a dramatic escalation of violence, multiple coordinated attacks led by insurgents struck Mali on Saturday, affecting the capital Bamako and other significant urban centres. The al-Qaida-affiliated group JNIM has publicly claimed responsibility for these assaults, which targeted key locations including the international airport and military barracks, marking one of the most significant outbreaks of violence in the country in recent years.
A Surge of Violence in Bamako and Beyond
The attacks began in the early hours of Saturday, with reports of gunfire and explosions ringing out across Bamako, particularly around Modibo Keïta International Airport, located approximately 15 kilometres from the city centre. Eyewitnesses described the sound of heavy weaponry and automatic gunfire, alongside military helicopters patrolling the area. A resident near the airport recounted the chaotic scene, noting the presence of three helicopters overhead as gunfire erupted nearby.
In a statement, the Malian military confirmed that “unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks” and reassured the public that troops were actively engaged in countering the attackers. Later updates suggested that the situation was being brought under control, although tension remained high.
The Extent of the Attacks
Alongside Bamako, insurgents launched assaults in several other cities, including Kati, Sévaré, and Mopti. Residents in Kati, home to Mali’s primary military base and the military junta leader Gen Assimi Goita, reported being jolted awake by the sound of gunfire and explosions. Notably, the residence of Defence Minister Sadio Camara was heavily damaged, further illustrating the targeted nature of these strikes.
The scope of the violence extended to northern towns such as Kidal and Gao, where gunfire was reported in the streets and insurgents allegedly took control of several neighbourhoods. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad movement, claimed on social media that their forces
