Islamic militants and separatists attacked several locations in Mali's capital and other cities on Saturday (April 25, 2026) in one of the largest coordinated attacks in the country in recent years.
The al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM claimed responsibility for the attacks on Bamako's international airport and four other cities in central and northern Mali on its website Azallaq. It said the attacks were carried out jointly with the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist group.
Mali has previously faced insurgencies fought by affiliates of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the north.
The Malian Army said in a statement that “unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks” in Bamako and that soldiers were “engaged in eliminating the attackers.” It said in another statement later the situation was under control.
India advises nationals in Mali to stay indoors, exercise caution due to security developments
