Coordinated assaults on military infrastructure reported across Mali as fighting continues in capital
The Malian army describes the perpetrators as "terrorist" groups, citing sustained heavy weapons fire and helicopter activity near key installations while combat remains active.
The Malian army has confirmed that unidentified armed groups, which the military describes as "terrorist" organisations, launched coordinated attacks on military positions across the nation on Saturday. The assault targeted locations in the capital, Bamako, as well as several towns in the country's interior, with the army reporting that fighting was still ongoing at the time of the initial assessment.
Significant activity was reported near Modibo Keïta International Airport in Bamako, which sits adjacent to an air base utilised by the Malian air force. Residents and journalists in the vicinity observed sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle fire emanating from the airport area. Witnesses also noted the presence of aerial assets, with reports of three helicopters patrolling overhead in the neighbourhoods surrounding the facility.
Beyond the capital, the violence extended to other strategic points within the country. Confirmed attacks were reported in Kati, the residence of military ruler General Assimi Goïta, as well as in Gao, the primary northern city, and Sevare in the centre of the landlocked nation. These incidents underscore the persistent security challenges facing the state under the current military administration.
The specific identity of the armed groups remains unverified by independent sources, with the army providing only the designation of "unidentified armed 'terrorist' groups". While the Malian military frequently employs this terminology in its communications, the full extent of the assaults and the precise number of casualties have not yet been detailed in the available reports.
The situation remains fluid as the army continues to assess the damage to military infrastructure. No official figures regarding losses or specific objectives targeted beyond the general description of military positions have been released. As combat persists, the scope and duration of the conflict are expected to evolve rapidly.
This live report draws on statements from the Malian army and anecdotal accounts from journalists and residents monitoring the situation. The French media outlet France 24 International has been tracking the developments as the security crisis unfolds across the region.
