Explosions and gunfire as armed groups launch co-ordinated attacks across Mali

The U.S. State Department condemned the attacks; the U.S. Embassy urged citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel due to explosions and gunfire around the airport and near Kati.

Checkpoints were established on roads leading to the airport with vehicles searched; Bamako International Airport was temporarily closed. The UK Foreign Office advised against all travel to Mali.

Mali's military said it was fighting unidentified 'terrorist groups' and that the situation was under control, though unconfirmed reports suggested that fighting continued.

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) had staged simultaneous attacks on multiple locations across the country.

The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) said its forces had taken control of Kidal and were expanding their presence in central Gao; Ramadane urged neighbouring countries Burkina Faso and Niger not to intervene.

There are reports of attacks in Gao and Kidal in the north, and Sevare in central Mali, with one analyst describing the operation as the largest jihadist attack in years.

Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported in Mali's capital Bamako as armed groups launched apparently coordinated attacks across the country. The military said fighting is ongoing and that defence and security forces are engaged in repelling the attackers; witnesses described explosions around the Kati military base and soldiers blocking off roads.

Following the coup, UN peacekeepers and French forces withdrew as the Malian government hired Russian mercenaries to help address insecurity.

Gen Assimi Goïta led a military coup in 2020, bringing the current junta to power in Mali.