Witnesses report clashes in the centre and north, in what has been described as the largest jihadist attack in years.
Explosions and sustained gunfire erupted across Mali on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as armed groups launched co-ordinated attacks in the capital Bamako and multiple cities including Kati, Gao, Kidal, Sévaré, and Mopti. The assaults, described by analysts as the largest co-ordinated jihadist attack in years, involved simultaneous offensives by the al-Qaeda-linked group JNIM and the Tuareg separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).
-
JNIM and FLA confirmed a joint operation, targeting military bases, government sites, and Bamako’s international airport, disrupting flights and prompting a curfew from 21:00 to 06:00.
-
The Malian army claimed to have repelled attackers, stating hundreds of militants were killed, though this remains unverified; fighting continued in Kidal and Gao, with FLA asserting control over parts of both cities.
-
Russian mercenaries, allied with Mali’s military junta, were engaged in the defense, particularly around Kati, where explosions damaged the defense minister’s residence.
International responses included strong condemnation from the US and African Union, while the UK Foreign Office advised against all travel to Mali amid ongoing insecurity.
About the Author
