Bamako, Mali — In what Mali’s army is calling a coordinated terrorist offensive, armed gunmen launched simultaneous attacks on Saturday morning, striking the capital Bamako, the key military base at Kati, and multiple cities across the country — in what appears to be one of the most ambitious assaults on the military junta in years.
Two explosions and sustained gunfire were heard near Kati military base, located just outside the capital, shortly before 6:00 AM GMT. Kati is historically significant as the home of military ruler General Assimi Goita, who has governed Mali since leading coups in 2020 and 2021. Defence Minister General Sadio Camara’s residence was reportedly targeted and destroyed, though the minister was said to be unharmed.
Near Bamako’s Modibo Keita International Airport — approximately 15 kilometres from the city centre — an Al Jazeera correspondent reported heavy weaponry and automatic rifle fire. A helicopter patrolled overhead as security forces worked to secure surrounding neighbourhoods.
Simultaneous attacks were reported in Sevare (central Mali), Kidal (north), and Gao (north), suggesting a coordinated, multi-front offensive. A spokesperson for the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) announced that its forces had taken control of Kidal and areas of Gao. Mali’s army stated by mid-morning that the situation was “under control” but that sweeping operations were ongoing.
According to four security sources cited by Reuters, al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) was involved and appeared to have coordinated with the FLA — a notable development as it suggests tactical cooperation between jihadi groups and Tuareg nationalists.
“The scale and coordination of the attacks appear to be unprecedented,” said Nicolas Haque, Al Jazeera’s West Africa correspondent. Military sources indicated an “unprecedented level of panic” within the ranks.
Russia’s Africa Corps in the Line of Fire
Mali’s military government has leaned heavily on Russia’s Africa Corps (formerly the Wagner Group) since cutting ties with former colonial power France in the early 2020s. Witnesses told Al Jazeera that Russian mercenaries were “fighting in Bamako, around the airport, where they have one of their headquarters.” However, analysts suggest some Russian forces are being redeployed to the Ukraine front, potentially weakening Mali’s security posture at a critical moment.
The attack comes amid a broader regional crisis. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — all led by military governments — formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023 after formally leaving the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. The trio have jointly trained a battalion aimed at combating armed groups across the Sahel, but Saturday’s assault highlights persistent gaps in their collective defence architecture.
Mali has been battling multiple insurgencies for more than a decade. JNIM and Islamic State affiliates operate across the north and centre of the country, while the FLA pursues Tuareg separatist aims. Analysts warned the simultaneous, coordinated nature of Saturday’s attacks signals a dangerous new phase in Mali’s conflict.
Regional and international partners are closely monitoring the situation as Mali’s army continues its sweep operations. No group has yet claimed exclusive responsibility for the attacks, though JNIM’s involvement appears confirmed by multiple security sources.