Explosions and sustained gunfire have been reported in Mali’s capital Bamako as armed groups launch apparently coordinated attacks across the country. In a statement on Saturday, the military said “fighting is ongoing,” adding “our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers.”
Witnesses have told the Reuters news agency of explosions and gunfire around the Kati military base, a major installation outside the capital. Soldiers have been deployed to block off roads in the area. We find also reports of attacks in Gao and Kidal in the north and Sevare in central Mali, in what an analyst describes as the largest jihadist attack in years.
One resident, who was travelling back to Bamako from Ethiopia, told the BBC that all flights into the city were cancelled early on Saturday. It is not yet clear whether the reported attacks have affected the airport. The UK’s foreign office has advised against all travel to Mali following the attacks, adding that Bamako International Airport is temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the US Embassy there has told citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel, citing explosions and gunfire around the airport and near Kati.
While some residents describe calm in most parts of Bamako, there are ongoing reports of gunfire in some areas. Checkpoints have been established on roads leading to the airport and vehicles are being searched, reports say. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel Programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Mali, told the BBC the incident appears to be the “largest coordinated jihadist attack on Mali for years.”
The coordinated nature of the assaults across multiple regions marks a significant escalation in the ongoing security crisis in Mali, where jihadist groups have been active for over a decade. The attacks come amid heightened tensions following the 2020 and 2021 military coups that brought Colonel Assimi Goita to power as transitional leader.
Security analysts note that the targeting of Kati, located just 15 kilometres northwest of Bamako and home to a key military base, represents a direct challenge to the junta’s authority. The base has historically been a focal point of military power in Mali and was central to both coups that brought the current leadership to power.
In Gao and Kidal in the north, reports indicate attacks on military positions and infrastructure, areas that have long been flashpoints in the conflict between state forces and various armed groups, including jihadist insurgents and separatist factions. The central region around Sevare has also seen increased instability in recent months as jihadist groups expand their influence southward.
The international community has reacted swiftly to the developments. France, which maintains military interests in the region through its counter-terrorism operations, has expressed concern over the escalation. The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA), though in the process of withdrawal following the junta’s request, has called for restraint and protection of civilians.
Regional bodies including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union have previously suspended Mali over the coups and demanded a return to civilian rule. The latest violence complicates diplomatic efforts to resolve the political transition, which has already been delayed multiple times.
Humanitarian organizations warn that the fighting could exacerbate an already dire situation in Mali, where millions face food insecurity and displacement due to years of conflict. The World Food Programme has previously reported that over 1.3 million Malians are acutely food insecure, with thousands more displaced internally or seeking refuge in neighbouring countries such as Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
For travelers and residents in Mali, official advisories remain in place. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office continues to advise against all travel to Mali, while the US Department of State maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping risks. Both embassies in Bamako have urged citizens to shelter in place, monitor local media, and follow instructions from authorities.
As of the latest reports, Malian military officials have not released casualty figures or provided details on the specific groups responsible for the attacks. Investigations are ongoing, and further updates are expected from official channels in the coming hours.
The situation remains fluid, with security operations continuing in affected areas. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary movement, stay indoors where possible, and adhere to curfews or movement restrictions imposed by local authorities.
World Today Journal will continue to monitor developments in Mali and provide verified updates as information becomes available from credible sources.
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