Fresh coordinated attacks have struck several parts of Mali after jihadist groups and their Tuareg separatist allies launched simultaneous assaults on multiple towns and a major prison facility on Saturday, according to the Malian army, residents and security sources.
The attacks reportedly began at about 5:00 a.m. local time and come just over two months after the same armed groups carried out large-scale offensives against the country’s military government, during which Mali’s defence minister was killed.
The latest violence affected the northern towns of Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok, the central town of Sevare, as well as the prison complex in Kenieroba.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), said fighting was continuing in Anefis despite gains made by the armed group.
He told AFP, “Several positions have fallen, but fighting is still underway inside the city.”
A resident of Anefis also described the ongoing clashes, saying, “Armed groups are in the town, but the army is still putting up resistance. The camp (there) has not yet fallen.”
Anefis and Aguelhok are among the few remaining locations in the Kidal region where Malian government forces continue to maintain a military presence following the major offensives launched on April 25 and 26.
Those earlier attacks resulted in the capture of the strategically important northern city of Kidal by fighters of the Azawad Liberation Front, marking a significant setback for Mali’s ruling military authorities.
In Gao, residents reported hearing sustained gunfire and powerful explosions near a military base.
Meanwhile, in the central town of Sevare, a security source said explosions were heard early in the morning before military aircraft were seen flying over the area.
According to the source, “Explosions rang out… around 5:00 am, though their origin is not yet known. Shortly thereafter, several aircraft were spotted flying over the area.”
The violence also spread to the major prison complex at Kenieroba, located a short distance from the capital, Bamako.
The facility houses several categories of detainees, including individuals accused of involvement in jihadist activities.
A prisoner inside the facility described the tense situation, saying, “We are under our beds, the gunfire continues.”
As of the time of reporting, authorities had not released an official assessment of casualties or the extent of damage caused by the coordinated attacks, while security operations were continuing in the affected areas.
