Coordinated Assault Across Bamako and North

At about 05:50 GMT on Saturday, 25 April 2026, two explosions and sustained gunfire erupted near the Kati military base, the headquarters of Mali’s armed forces outside Bamako, while simultaneous attacks hit Sevare, Kidal, Gao and Mopti. By 11:00 GMT the army said sweeping operations were underway and the situation was under control, though fighting persisted.

Gunfire, blasts reported in Mali amid coordinated attacks on capital

Mali’s army called the attackers “unidentified armed terrorist groups.” Four security sources linked the al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) to the assaults and said it coordinated with Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said its forces seized positions in Kidal, Gao and a Kidal military camp. Neither JNIM nor the Islamic State in the Sahel Province claimed responsibility.

The Jerusalem PostNew York PostGunfire, blasts reported in Mali amid coordinated attacks on capitalCoordinated Gunmen Attacks Rock Mali Capital Bamako, Multiple Cities Hit

The army’s statement urged civilians to stay calm and warned that “unidentified armed terrorist groups” had hit barracks in the capital. Defense Minister Sadio Camara’s house in Kati was damaged. U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security alert, advising Americans to shelter. Mali and the United States are close to a pact to resume aircraft and drone overflights for jihadist surveillance.

Gunfire, blasts reported in Mali amid coordinated attacks on capital

A resident near the airport told Reuters that gunfire was directed toward the military camp. A witness in Sevare reported hearing gunfire throughout the town. An AP journalist in Bamako heard heavy weapons and observed three helicopters patrolling. In Gao, a resident described the blasts as shaking doors and windows and causing fear.

Coordinated Gunmen Attacks Rock Mali Capital Bamako, Multiple Cities Hit

Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation, described the attacks as the biggest coordinated assault in years. Benedict Manzin, lead analyst at Sibylline, said the incidents pose a realistic loss risk and represent a major test for the regime. Both noted the assaults occurred despite Mali’s reliance on Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps, raising doubts about that partnership’s effectiveness.

The Jerusalem Post

Security sources link JNIM to the attacks, yet the group has not claimed responsibility. Independent verification of the FLA’s claimed gains in Kidal and Gao is lacking. No casualty figures or damage assessments have been released, leaving the assault’s scale uncertain.

The Jerusalem Post

• “There’s gunfire everywhere,” — Witness, Sevare

New York Post

• “We hear gunfire towards the military camp.” — Resident near Modibo Keïta International Airport

New York Post

• “The force of the explosions is making the doors and windows of my house shake. I’m scared out of my wits,” — Resident, Gao

Coordinated Gunmen Attacks Rock Mali Capital Bamako, Multiple Cities Hit

• “This looks like the biggest coordinated attack for years,” — Ulf Laessing, Konrad Adenauer Foundation

The Jerusalem Post

Mali and the United States are close to a pact to resume aircraft and drone overflights for jihadist surveillance. The government pledged continued sweeping operations to clear remaining attackers.

New York Post