BAMAKO, Mali — Armed groups launched a series of coordinated attacks across Mali on April 25, 2026, targeting the capital, Bamako, and several strategic military locations in what officials described as a complex and highly organized operation.
Malian government spokesperson Issa Ousmane Coulibaly said the assaults took place in the early hours of the morning, hitting both civilian and military sites. Among the locations targeted were key garrison towns, including Kati, Sévaré, Gao, and Kidal, underscoring the operation across the country.
At least 16 people, including civilians and members of the security forces, were injured in the attacks, according to government officials. Those wounded are currently receiving medical treatment. Authorities have not released any information regarding fatalities, and initial assessments suggest that property damage was limited.
The al-Qaida-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility, stating that the operation included strikes on Bamako’s international airport as well as attacks in four others. In a statement, the group said it acted in coordination with the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist movement active in northern Mali.
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The attacks highlight the persistent security challenges facing Mali, where Islamist insurgencies linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State have continued to destabilize the country for over a decade. Separatist movements in the further complicated conflict, contributing to ongoing violence despite military efforts to contain the threats.
Saturday’s operation echoes a similar large-scale attack in 2024, also claimed by an al-Qaida-affiliated group, which targeted Bamako’s airport and a military training camp and resulted in significantly higher casualties.
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Security forces have since been deployed to affected areas, and authorities say investigations are ongoing as they work to assess the full масштабы of the attacks and prevent further violence.
