₦airaland Forum

In a statement on Saturday the military said "fighting is ongoing", adding "our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers".

Witnesses have told the Reuters news agency of explosions and gunfire around the Kati military base, a major installation outside the capital. Soldiers have been deployed to block off roads in the area.

There are also reports of attacks in Gao and Kidal in the north and Sevare in central Mali, in what an analyst describes as the largest jihadist attack in years.

One resident, who was travelling back to Bamako from Ethiopia, told the BBC that all flights into the city were cancelled early on Saturday. It is not yet clear whether the reported attacks have affected the airport.

The UK's foreign office has advised against all travel to Mali following the attacks, adding that Bamako International Airport is temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the US Embassy there has told citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel, citing explosions and gunfire around the airport and near Kati.

While some residents describe calm in most parts of Bamako, there are ongoing reports of gunfire in some areas. Checkpoints have been established on roads leading to the airport and vehicles are being searched, reports say.

Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel Programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Mali, told the BBC the incident appears to be the "largest coordinated jihadist attack on Mali for years".

Mali's military said it is fighting unidentified "terrorist groups" and the situation was under control, but unconfirmed reports suggest fighting continues. Videos circulating on social media suggest involvement of the jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) rebels.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the FLA, said on social media that its forces had taken control of several positions in Gao and Kidal. He also urged neighbouring countries Burkina Faso and Niger not to intervene. The BBC has not been able to verify these claims.

Armed members pictured in Kidal
Mali is currently ruled by a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who first seized power in a coup in 2020, promising to restore security and push back armed groups.

The junta had popular support when it took power, promising to deal with the long-running security crisis prompted by a separatist rebellion in the north by ethnic Tuaregs, which was then hijacked by Islamist militants.

The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces had been deployed in 2013 to deal with the escalating insurgency.

Both have left since the junta took over, and the military government has hired Russian mercenaries to tackle the insecurity.

However, the jihadist insurgency has continued and large parts of the north and east of the country remain outside government control.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso recently left the West African bloc Ecowas to form the Alliance of Sahel States. The bloc aims to share resources, build infrastructure, create a common market and currency and allow free movement of people, with the long-term goal of deeper integration.

All three countries are currently led by military governments following a series of coups.

donleo92:
Russia no fit protect them allies

Abi the so called mother Russia is only concerned about it's only self??.

And mine you, Russia no send anybody about from themselves

You don ever see when Russia dey give nations medical healthcare

But if na guy and ammunition, na them be baba for that one

Tuareg separatist forces (FLA) have captured the Governor’s Palace in Kidal after taking the city during today’s joint nationwide attacks with Al-Qaeda in Mali (JNIM) against the military junta and its Russian allies.

It has a population of 25 000 & is the capital of the Tuaregs pic.twitter.com/bPVyUUOWXs

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 25, 2026

Botragelad:
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyx7nnrkqdo

ARISHEM:
All the insurgency that is happening in West Africa, the US and all the west like it that way

NaijaRealtor:
I suspect the hands of external forces trying to sabotage Africa in this.

But the fulanis are always the willing tools in the hands of these slave traders.

Large numbers of FLA/JNIM militants on gun trucks entering Mali’s capital, Bamako, this morning unopposed, as civilians looked on helplessly from the roadside. pic.twitter.com/kb9hA8hd2y

— Defense News Nigeria (@DefenseNigeria) April 25, 2026

Mali: This video shows fighters posing Kidal governor El Hadj Ag Gamou’s uniform after taking the city

The Al-Qaeda (JNIM) Tuareg separatist forces which launched a joint nationwide attack on the Mali junta & its Russian allies today are now humiliating their opponents on social… pic.twitter.com/jLqOUpT10R

— Àkànní (@idofoi) April 25, 2026

Leepeak:
Why USA nor fit protect Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar behrain
Why 😂