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Open Chronicle | Security & Conflict
A wave of coordinated attacks has struck Mali, triggering intense clashes in the capital Bamako and raising alarm over a rapidly deteriorating security situation across the country.
According to an official statement from the Malian military, “unidentified armed terrorist groups” launched assaults on strategic military installations early Saturday morning. Authorities said security forces were actively engaged in operations to repel the attackers and secure key sites.
Eyewitnesses in Bamako reported sustained gunfire involving heavy weapons and automatic rifles. The violence appeared to be concentrated around Modibo Keita International Airport, a critical infrastructure hub located roughly 15 kilometers from the city center. Military helicopters were deployed overhead, patrolling surrounding areas in an effort to contain the situation and prevent further incursions.
🇲🇱 #Mali | Fighting has been reported in Kidal and Gao in the north; Sévaré in the center; and Kati, a town near Bamako. Accounts affiliated with Tuareg rebels have posted videos claiming to show them in control of multiple points in Kidal and Gao.pic.twitter.com/U8jLSSNjuF
— intelynx (@Intelynx) April 25, 2026
The unrest was not confined to the Reports from multiple regions indicated simultaneous explosions and gunfire, pointing to a large-scale and coordinated operation.
In the northern city of Kidal, the situation escalated further as armed fighters reportedly entered residential neighborhoods. A former local official said militants had taken control of parts of the city, leading to fierce clashes with government forces stationed in the area.
The attacks come against the backdrop of Mali’s long-running security crisis. The country has faced years of instability driven by insurgent groups linked to extremist organizations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as a persistent separatist rebellion in the north.
Saturday’s developments highlight the continuing reach and coordination capabilities of armed groups, even as the military-led government has sought to tighten security and strengthen regional cooperation.
The scale and timing of the attacks, striking both the capital and northern strongholds, pose a serious challenge to the ruling authorities and raise concerns about the resilience of state control in key areas.