Islamic militants and separatists attacked several locations in Mali’s capital and other cities on Saturday 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, Az-Zallaqa. 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.
BREAKING
Al Qaeda in Mali (JNIM) & Tuareg separatists of FLA have launched a nationwide offensive against Mali’s junta & its Russian allies
They’re reportedly successful, having entered the capital city Bamako &Taureg capital Kidal
It’s looks like Mali is falling to jihadists pic.twitter.com/icpZPqQRjM
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 25, 2026
