Islamic Militants and Separatists Launch Attacks Across Mali’s Capital and Major Cities

Islamic militants and separatists launched coordinated attacks across multiple locations in Mali on Saturday, April 25, 2026, targeting the capital Bamako and other cities in one of the largest such operations in recent years.

The attacks, claimed jointly by the al-Qaida-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front, struck military installations and key infrastructure, including the Modibo Keïta international airport in Bamako.

Eyewitnesses in Bamako reported sustained gunfire and explosions near the airport and surrounding neighborhoods, with residents describing heavy weapons fire and automatic rifle gunfire emanating from the airbase adjacent to the civilian terminal.

The Malian military acknowledged that unidentified armed groups had targeted locations and barracks in Bamako and nearby Kati, stating that forces were engaged in eliminating the attackers. Later in the day, the military declared the situation under control.

JNIM claimed responsibility for the attacks via its website, Az-Zallaqa, stating the operations were conducted in coordination with the Azawad Liberation Front. The group said it had struck the airport and four other cities in central and northern Mali.

A person living near the Bamako airport reported hearing gunfire and observing three helicopters patrolling overhead, consistent with reports of aerial activity during the assault.

The United States embassy in Bamako issued a security alert urging U.S. Citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel to areas near the airport and Kati due to reports of explosions and gunfire.

The coordinated assault represents a significant escalation in Mali’s ongoing conflict, which involves multiple insurgent groups, including jihadist factions and separatist movements, operating amid political instability following recent military coups.

Mali has faced persistent instability since a 2020 coup, with successive military governments struggling to contain insurgencies in the north and center. The country remains a focal point of regional and international concern due to the spread of extremist activity across the Sahel.

As of the latest reports, casualty figures have not been officially confirmed, though Malian authorities acknowledged 16 wounded in their statement. The full scope of the attacks and territorial control remains under assessment.