Islamist militants and separatists launched a series of attacks in Mali’s capital and other cities on Saturday, marking one of the most significant coordinated assaults in the country in recent times. The militant group JNIM, linked to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attacks at Bamako’s international airport and four other locations in central and northern Mali in collaboration with the Azawad Liberation Front, a separatist group led by Tuaregs.
Mali has a history of dealing with insurgencies led by affiliates of al-Qaeda, the Islamic State group, and separatist movements in the northern region. The Malian army confirmed that armed terrorist groups targeted specific areas and military bases in Bamako, engaging in confrontations with the attackers. Reports indicated heavy gunfire and helicopter presence near Modibo Keita International Airport, with the army eventually gaining control of the situation.
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security alert following reports of explosions and gunfire near Kati and the international airport, advising American citizens to seek shelter and avoid travel in those areas. Residents in Kati witnessed militant convoys moving through deserted streets, while similar attacks were reported in Sevare and Mopti.
Videos circulated on social media depicted gun battles in towns like Kidal and Gao in the north, with insurgents reportedly seizing control of neighborhoods in Kidal. Separatist spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane claimed that Azawad forces had taken over Kidal and parts of Gao, although the claims could not be independently verified.
The assault in Mali is seen as one of the most coordinated attacks in recent years, with concerns raised over the collaboration between JNIM and Tuareg rebels, reminiscent of their 2012 alliance that triggered a security crisis in the region. Mali, along with neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, continues to combat armed groups tied to al-Qaeda and ISIS, with recent shifts in alliances towards Russia for counterterrorism efforts. The security situation in the region has deteriorated, marked by a surge in militant attacks, amid accusations of government forces targeting civilians suspected of aiding militants.
In a past incident in 2024, an al-Qaeda-linked group carried out an attack on Bamako’s airport and a military training camp, resulting in numerous casualties.
