Insurgents attack military bases across Mali, closing main airport

Explosions and gunfire have erupted in Mali’s capital, Bamako, amidst coordinated attacks by armed groups across the nation.

The military reported ongoing clashes, stating that defense forces are actively repelling the assaults, particularly in Kati, where a major military base is located.

Witnesses reported explosions and gunfire in this area, with soldiers deployed to block roads.

Additional attacks were noted in Gao, Kidal, and Sevare, with one analyst characterizing these as the most significant jihadist assaults in years.

The violence is attributed to a coalition between jihadist groups, such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), and separatist factions like the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), which seeks an independent Tuareg state.

The military labeled the attackers as unidentified “terrorist groups” while affirming that the situation remains under control, despite ongoing unverified reports of continued fighting.

In response to the violence, Bamako International Airport was temporarily closed, disrupting flights to the city, according to a resident returning from Ethiopia.

The UK Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Mali due to emerging threats.

Concerns over civilian safety prompted the African Union and the US State Department to condemn the attacks and express solidarity with the Malian populace.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the FLA, claimed the group has taken control of Kidal and is expanding into Gao, sharing unverified footage purportedly showing their success against Malian military forces.

The FLA has called on Burkina Faso and Niger to refrain from intervening.

Mali is currently under the governance of a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who rose to power in a coup in 2020, pledging to address the longstanding security issues posed by the Tuareg rebellion.

The junta initially garnered popular support by promising to address the security crisis stemming from the Tuareg rebellion, which had been co-opted by Islamist militants.

Following the junta’s takeover, UN peacekeepers and French forces withdrew, leading the military government to enlist Russian mercenaries for assistance.

Despite these measures, the jihadist insurgency persists, with significant areas in the north and east still beyond government control.