Insurgents attack multiple towns in northern and central Mali, army says

Coordinated Attacks Hit Multiple Towns

Armed groups launched coordinated attacks across Mali on Saturday, targeting army positions and areas where Russian forces are based, according to multiple reports. The assaults, which began before dawn, struck several towns and a prison, marking a significant escalation in the country's ongoing conflict.

The Malian army confirmed attacks on five locations: Aguelhok, Anefis, Gao, Sevare, and Kenieroba, where a prison complex reportedly came under fire. The army later said the situation was "totally under control," claiming to have killed 20 fighters in Sevare and six in Gao, while reporting one pro-government soldier killed and four wounded in Gao. In a separate statement, the army said it repelled attacks in Konna and Somadougou with the help of Africa Corps, a Russian-backed paramilitary group.

Analysts note the attacks come just over two months after a previous offensive that dealt a major blow to the ruling military junta, killing Mali's defense minister.

Groups Claim Responsibility

The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-dominated rebel group, and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group, both claimed involvement in the attacks. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, an FLA spokesperson, told AFP that "several positions have fallen, but fighting [was] still underway inside the city" of Anefis. A resident contacted by AFP said "armed groups are in the town, but the army is still putting up resistance. The camp [there] has not yet fallen."

Government and Russian troops deployed in Anefis in the wake of April attacks in which the same groups seized control of Kidal town. The northern towns of Anefis and Aguelhok are the last remaining locations where Mali's army maintains a presence in the Kidal region.

Details of the Fighting

In Gao, a local official said gunfire and rockets were launched at a military camp since before dawn, though it was not immediately clear which fighters were responsible. In Sevare, "explosions rang out... around 5am," though their origin was not yet known, according to local reports. The fighting reportedly started between 4:00 am and 5:00 am local time, with some sources citing 4:00 am and others 5:00 am.

Key Claims

• Jihadists and their separatist Tuareg-led allies launched coordinated attacks in northern Mali, targeting several towns and a prison.
• The attacks targeted government troops and Russian paramilitary forces based in the area.
• The latest fighting came more than two months after the same rebel groups staged attacks against the military-led government.
• The FLA and JNIM have allied against Mali's army and its Russian partners.
• Attacks were reported in Gao, Anefis, Aguelhok, and Sevare, as well as a prison in Kenieroba.
• The fighting started around 4:00 am or 5:00 am on Saturday.
• Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the FLA, said "several positions have fallen, but fighting is still underway inside the city" of Anefis.