Video: Fighting continues in Mali between Russian military instructors and rebels
In Mali, armed groups simultaneously attacked military facilities in the capital, Bamako, and several other cities across the country, leading to fighting, explosions, and panic among military personnel and civilians. The attacks appeared to be coordinated and affected several regions at once.
The coordinated strikes marked one of the largest incidents in the country in recent times, where armed instability has persisted for over a decade, Al Jazeera reports.
Simultaneous armed attacks on military facilities took place across various parts of Mali, including the capital, Bamako, which, according to the army, bears the hallmarks of a coordinated operation by several groups.
The military reported that on Saturday morning, they engaged in combat with “terrorist groups” that attacked barracks and military bases. Prior to this, at least two explosions were heard near the main military base in the Kati area, not far from Bamako, and intense gunfire broke out.
At the same time, similar incidents were reported in the central city of Sevare and in the north of the country—in Kidal and Gao, where gunfire was also heard and clashes were reported.
Eyewitnesses describe the situation as chaotic and dangerous. One witness told Reuters: “There is shooting everywhere.” Journalists also reported the use of heavy weapons near the Bamako International Airport, and military helicopters appeared in the city, patrolling the areas.
Analysts note that the scale and simultaneity of the attacks appear atypical for the region. According to journalist Nicholas Haike, who has been covering the situation in Mali for many years, the level of coordination “appears unprecedented,” and there is a growing sense of tension and panic among the military.
Mali has been living in a state of armed conflict for over a decade, with both groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS and local rebel movements, particularly Tuareg ones, active in the region.
Following the military coups of 2020 and 2021, the country severed ties with France and reduced the presence of international missions. At the same time, the role of Russian military structures in the region has grown, particularly units operating under the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense, which have replaced private military companies.
The situation in Mali remains unstable, and the current series of attacks has become one of the most significant outbreaks of violence in recent times.
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