Mali live: Army says armed 'terrorist' groups launch attacks on military positions nationwide
Issued on: 25/04/2026 - 11:35Modified: 25/04/2026 - 13:45
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Mali's army said on Saturday that unidentified armed "terrorist" groups had attacked military positions in the capital and in several towns in the country's interior, with fighting ongoing. Journalists reported hearing gunfire at the country's international airport. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
25/04/2026 - 13:41FLA rebels say they have taken control of Kidal in north Mali
Malian Tuareg rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claim to have taken control of the key town of Kidal, in northern Mali.
“The town of Kidal has come under the control of our armed forces,” the FLA wrote in a message on Facebook.
Kidal was a former stronghold of for the FLA, and has also been occupied by the Malian army and Russian troops.
FLA troops control "most of Kidal", Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesman for the Malian rebels told AFP. He said the governor of Kidal had taken refuge with his men inside a former UN mission.
FRANCE 24 was unable to verify the claims.
Coordinated attacks hit Bamako, central and northern Mali
FRANCE 24's Justice Baidoo reports from Ghana.
25/04/2026 - 13:28Mali army says situation under control following attacks
25/04/2026 - 13:05- Gunfire heard near Mali’s international airport
- Army says fighting 'ongoing', calls for civilians to remain calm
- Residents report fighting in towns and cities across Mali
- FLA rebels say they have taken control of Kidal in north Mali
FRANCE 24's Wassim Nasr shared footage appearing to show the house of Mali's minister of defence in Kati destroyed by attacks.
25/04/2026 - 12:34Gunfire rocks Bamako: 'Too soon to tell' if junta will fall
Mali's army said Saturday that it was fighting "terrorist groups" that had attacked army barracks in the capital Bamako and other areas in the African nation.
Witnesses reported gunfire in several cities in the military-ruled state and an army statement said: "Terrorist groups, not yet identified, early this morning targeted certain points and barracks in the capital and the interior."
FRANCE 24's jihadism specialist Wassim Nasr said it is still "too soon to tell" if the country's military junta will fall.
25/04/2026 - 12:20Residents report fighting in towns and cities across Mali
Gunmen entered the northeastern city of Kidal, taking control of some neighborhoods and leading to gunfire exchanges with the army, a former mayor of Kidal told AP over the phone. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety.
A resident of the central town of Gao said gunfire and explosions started in the early hours of Saturday and could still be heard in the late morning.
“The force of the explosions is making the doors and windows of my house shake. I’m scared out of my wits,” the resident told AP by phone. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns for his safety. The resident said the gunfire came from the army camp and the airport, which are right next to each other.
A resident of Kati, a town near Bamako that is home to Mali's main military base, also said he was woken up early in the morning by the sounds of gunfire and explosions.
(© FRANCE 24)
Videos from FRANCE 24 journalist Wassim Nassir show members of the al Qaeda affiliated group JNIM operating near Bamako and Kati.
25/04/2026 - 12:03US embassy in Mali says it is following reports of explosions, gunfire
The US embassy in Mali said it is following reports of explosions and gunfire near Kati and the Bamako airport.
It advised US citizens in Mali to shelter in place
25/04/2026 - 11:57Read more: What we know so far
25/04/2026 - 11:47Army says fighting 'ongoing', calls for civilians to remain calm
25/04/2026 - 11:45Who are the 'terrorist' groups responsible for attacks in Mali?
it is not yet clear who is behind the attacks that Mali's army said were being carried out by unidentified "terrorist" groups.
Since 2012, the country has been grappling with a security crisis over attacks by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group and community-based criminal groups and separatists.
Reports of gunfire and explosions in multiple locations across the country suggests a possible coordinated attack by armed groups.
- Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-dominated rebel alliance, said on social media on Saturday that its forces had taken control of multiple positions in Kidal and Gao. FRANCE 24 could not independently verify this claim.
- Four security sources said the regional al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) was also involved in Saturday's attacks. FRANCE 24's jihadism specialist Wassim Nasr posted videos of the group operating near Bamako. JNIM has not, so far, claimed responsibility for any attacks.
Gunfire heard near Mali’s international airport
Gunfire was heard near Mali’s international airport in the capital Bamako early Saturday, an Associated Press reporter and residents said.
The airport is adjacent to an air base used by Mali's air force.
An AP journalist in Bamako heard sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle gunfire coming from Modibo Keïta International Airport, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the city center, and saw a helicopter over nearby neighborhoods.
A Bamako resident living near the airport also reported gunfire and three helicopters patrolling overhead.
Two loud explosions and sustained gunfire were heard shortly before 6 am and soldiers were deployed to block off roads in the area, a Reuters witness said.
Welcome to the FRANCE 24 liveblog covering events in Mali.
Mali's army said unidentified armed "terrorist" groups attacked several military positions in the capital and in the country's interior early on Saturday, with fighting ongoing.
Journalists and residents reported hearing gunfire at the country's international airport and in several towns including Kati, the home of military ruler General Assimi Goita, Gao, the main northern city, and Sevare in the centre of the landlocked nation.
(FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and Reuters)
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