Mali attacks: Bamako airport and four cities hit as JNIM claims joint action with Azawad group

Islamic militants and separatist fighters attacked key sites in Mali on Saturday. The raids hit the capital, Bamako, and several towns across the country. The Malian army said armed "terrorist\" groups struck certain locations and barracks. Soldiers were fighting back and later said the situation was under control.

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The al-Qaida-linked group JNIM claimed responsibility on its Azallaq website. It said the strikes targeted Bamako’s international airport and four other cities. JNIM also said it acted with the Azawad Liberation Front. The Tuareg-led group is linked to separatist demands in northern Mali.

JNIM attacks and Bamako international airport reports

An Associated Press journalist in Bamako heard sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle fire. The sound came from Modibo Keïta International Airport, about 15 kilometres from the centre. The journalist also saw a helicopter over nearby areas. The airport sits next to an air base used by Mali’s air force.

A resident living near the airport also reported gunfire and three helicopters overhead. The US Embassy in Bamako issued a security alert after reports of explosions. It cited areas near Kati and the international airport. The embassy urged U.S. citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel there.

JNIM attacks and Kati military base concerns

In Kati, a town near Bamako with Mali’s main military base, residents reported violence. One resident said gunfire and explosions woke the household. Gen. Assimi Goita, leader of Mali’s military junta, lives in Kati. Videos online showed militant convoys using trucks and motorcycles on empty streets.

The residence of Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, was badly damaged by an explosion. A shopkeeper near the site told the AP about the damage. The person spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear. Other residents in Kati watched events with visible fear in the videos.

JNIM attacks and fighting in Kidal and Gao

Gunmen also attacked Sevare and Mopti in central Mali, residents said. Videos from Kidal and Gao in the north showed street gunfire. Some footage showed bodies on the ground. A former mayor of Kidal said insurgents entered the town. The person said some neighbourhoods were taken, leading to exchanges with the army.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad movement, posted on Facebook. He said forces took control of Kidal and parts of Gao. The AP said it could not verify that claim. Kidal was a separatist stronghold before government forces and Russian mercenaries took it in 2023.

A resident in Gao, northern Mali’s largest city, described continued explosions and gunfire. The sounds began early on Saturday and continued into late morning. \"The force of the explosions is making the doors and windows of my house shake. Im scared out of my wits,\" the resident said. The person spoke anonymously due to safety concerns.

JNIM attacks and wider Sahel security context

Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation said the scale looked unusual. \"Its especially concerning that JNIM apparently has been coordinating todays attacks with Tuareg rebels. Jihadists and Tuareg rebels teamed up in 2012 when they overran northern Mali, sparking the regions security crisis. Laessing said.\" Mali also faces armed groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have faced long-running insurgencies and repeated attacks. After military coups, the three juntas shifted away from Western partners. They turned towards Russia for security support. Analysts say attacks have risen in recent years. Government forces have also faced accusations of killing civilians suspected of helping militants.

In 2024, an al-Qaida-linked group claimed an attack on Bamako’s airport and a military training camp. That assault killed scores of people. Saturday’s violence again hit the airport area and other locations. Claims by armed groups continued to spread online, while officials focused on restoring control and security.

With inputs from PTI