Coordinated attacks were reported across Mali over the weekend, targeting military installations and strategic sites in several parts of the country, including the capital, Bamako.
Security sources said armed groups carried out near-simultaneous assaults on military positions and infrastructure in Kati, Gao, Sévaré and Kidal. Gunfire and explosions were also reported in parts of Bamako, including areas close to key installations.
Authorities confirmed that military bases and strategic infrastructure were among the targets. Security operations were ongoing as of April 26, with movement restrictions reported in the capital. No official casualty figures had been released by the time of reporting, although initial information indicated casualties among security forces and attackers.
The attacks have been linked to armed groups operating in Mali, including factions associated with Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an alliance affiliated with al-Qaeda. No group has issued a comprehensive claim of responsibility for all the incidents.
Mali has experienced insecurity since 2012, when an armed rebellion in the north evolved into a broader insurgency involving jihadist groups. Despite previous military operations that pushed militants out of major urban centres, attacks on security forces and state infrastructure have continued, particularly in rural and central regions.
The country has also undergone political changes following military coups in 2020 and 2021. The transitional authorities have since adjusted security arrangements while continuing operations against armed groups.
The latest attacks are among the most extensive coordinated incidents reported in recent years, affecting multiple locations within a short period as security operations continue.
