Several strong explosions shook Bamako, the capital of Mali, and other cities in the interior of the country this Saturday morning due to a series of coordinated attacks by dissident armed groups. The country, governed by a , is experiencing a fragmented war where the State, separatist insurgencies and jihadist groups compete for territory and political power in a context of institutional weakness. According to information released by the Malian Armed Forces in a message, the armed groups have managed to take control of several points and barracks in the country and the fighting continues.
The main armed actors, and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, seek to impose their interpretation of Islam and expel the State and foreign forces. Tuareg rebels also operate in the territory, such as the Azawad Liberation Front, who demand greater autonomy for the territory where they are present, in the north. This Saturday’s attacks are attributed to Azawad and the JNIM.
Around five in the morning (seven o’clock in mainland Spain) explosions were heard both at the Modibo Keïta international airport, in Bamako, and near Kati, the country’s main military base, on the outskirts of the capital, but that has not prevented the roar from reaching the most central neighborhoods. “I noticed a huge hit on the windows of the room,” said a client of a hotel located in the ACI 2000 neighborhood, where numerous embassies are also located.
Beyond these incidents, the situation in Bamako is calm, with people on the streets and the markets open.
The information verified so far points to four outbreaks: those already mentioned in Kati and at the airport, which has been closed and is under the custody of Russian mercenary forces. In Kati, in addition, a home belonging to the Minister of Defense has been hit. Due to the situation, the army is controlling all access to the capital.
Thirdly, attacks have been reported at the Mopti airport in the north, where intense fire continues to be reported. Sources familiar with the situation have confirmed to EL PAÍS that the operation is still underway.
Finally, Kidal is also being attacked, although details are unknown for now. Kidal is a city in permanent dispute between the Malian army and Tuareg separatists, and although it has been under the control of the Goïta junta, its rule is currently not fully consolidated.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the Azawad Liberation Front, has stated on social media that his forces have taken control of several positions in Kidal and Gao, but this information has so far not been confirmed by any independent source.
For its part, the JNIM has not claimed responsibility for these actions, although attacks on Malian military installations frequently come from this group. The United States Embassy in Mali has issued a statement asking its citizens to avoid travel for now.
