Attacks Hit Multiple Locations in Mali, Army Claims Situation Managed

Insurgents attacked five places in Mali on Saturday. This included a northern town where government and Russian forces are based, and another town south of the capital, Bamako.

This attack poses a new challenge for Mali's struggling leaders.

The strikes targeted army positions in several cities and towns. These include Anefis, Aguelhoc, and Gao in the north; Sevare in central Mali; and Kenioroba in the south, according to a statement from the Malian armed forces.

The soldiers managed to repel the attacks, claiming the situation was "totally under control". The statement reported that 20 terrorists were killed in Sevare and six in Gao.

It also mentioned that one pro-government fighter died in Gao, while four others sustained injuries.

A spokesperson from the Tuareg-led rebel group, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), stated that they took part in Saturday's attacks.

The FLA teamed up with the regional al-Qaeda group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), in April. Their joint operation targeted the airport in Bamako and resulted in the death of the defense minister.

JNIM has not yet claimed responsibility for the latest attacks.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, the FLA spokesperson, said their fighters entered Anefis in the northeastern Kidal region.

Government and Russian troops were sent there after the April attacks, having been pushed out of the key town of Kidal before.

Reuters could not confirm this information independently.

In Gao, a local official reported ongoing gunfire and rocket attacks on a military camp since early morning. It is unclear who is behind these attacks.

"No one could go out this morning. The Malian Armed Forces blocked all the streets. We’re stuck in our homes. The noise was so loud it felt like the roof would collapse," a resident from Gao said.

A resident in Sevare also told Reuters that early morning gunfire was followed by four loud explosions in the west of the city around 8 a.m.

He noted that even louder blasts were heard in the town around 10 a.m. These sources requested anonymity for safety reasons.

Kenioroba has a prison that holds members of Mali’s political opposition.

A diplomatic source and a security source reported that the prison was attacked. However, one source said security forces fought off the attackers.

A government spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comments.

These attacks show the failures of Mali’s military leaders. They took power in coups in 2020 and 2021 but have not provided the improved security they promised.

In September 2024, JNIM attacked a paramilitary police training school near Bamako airport, killing about 70 people.

Recently, they also set up a fuel blockade, leaving Bamako’s residents and businesses struggling for power and supplies.

Mali’s government has been working to strengthen ties with Washington, aiming to rebuild security cooperation and look into mining opportunities.

Russia, whose forces are backing the government, promised to support Mali after the April attacks.

Jihadist violence has also affected nearby Burkina Faso and Niger. Both countries, like Mali, have sought security help from Russia.