Coordinated Attacks by Armed Groups Spark Crisis in Mali

Sat Apr 25 2026 15:13:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Mali's military reports ongoing coordinated assaults from armed groups across the nation, including the capital Bamako. Details on casualties and motives remain unclear.

Armed groups have launched a series of coordinated attacks across Mali, impacting locations such as the capital Bamako and military sites outside the city. With explosions and gunfire reported, the military is currently engaged in fighting back. The situation has caused flight cancellations, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the motives and parties responsible for these attacks. The country is under military rule following a coup in 2020, complicating the security situation further.

Coordinated Attacks by Armed Groups Spark Crisis in Mali

Mali's military has reported that armed groups have initiated coordinated attacks throughout the country, notably in the capital city of Bamako.

In an official statement released on Saturday morning, the military confirmed that fighting is ongoing and that our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers. Eyewitness accounts reported explosions and consistent gunfire in areas surrounding the Kati military base, a major installation just outside Bamako. Military personnel have been deployed to restrict access to various roads in the vicinity.

In addition to Bamako, attacks have also been reported in Gao to the northeast and in Sevare, central Mali. A traveler returning to Bamako from Ethiopia noted that all flights were cancelled earlier today; however, it remains uncertain if the attacks have impacted operations at the airport.

The identity of the assailants remains unclear. Since the 2020 coup that established military rule under General Assimi Goïta, security issues have intensified. The junta, which initially gained widespread support for its pledge to restore security and combat armed groups, now faces ongoing challenges from militant factions.

An escalating insurgency, marked by a separatist rebellion from ethnic Tuareg groups and further complicated by Islamist militants, has been a persistent issue. Although a UN peacekeeping mission and French military forces were once deployed in 2013 to address these issues, both have since withdrawn, leading the military government to engage Russian mercenaries for security assistance.

Despite efforts, vast territories in northern and eastern Mali remain beyond the government's control as the jihadist insurgency continues to thrive. Further updates on the situation will be provided as they develop.