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Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and possibly other armed factions launched an unprecedented attack across Mali on April 25, in an apparent attempt to take over all of the country.
The towns of Kidal, Gao and Sevare have come under attack at the same time. Fighting has also been reported in the capital, Bamako, and in a nearby garrison.
In a statement, the Malian military said that “fighting is ongoing”, adding “our defence and security forces are currently engaged in repelling the attackers”.
“The General Staff of the Armed Forces informs the public that unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in the capital and the interior early this morning, April 25, 2026.
Fighting is ongoing.
We call on the public to remain calm and vigilant.
Our defence and security forces are currently engaged in eliminating the attackers.
We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
United, we will prevail.
Bamako, April 25, 2026” the statement reads.
Videos circulating on social media suggest involvement of JNIM and FLA militants. Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the latter, said in a statement posted to social media that its forces had taken control of several positions in Gao and Kidal.
“In Gao, our forces are now present inside the city, after having neutralised several positions located on the outskirts,” he added, noting that “operations are continuing.”
The FLA spokesperson went on to call on the “authorities of Burkina Faso and Niger to stay out of the ongoing events in Mali”.
Near Bamako, Modibo Keita International Airport, the headquarters of the Russian Africa Corps, is reported to be under attack.
Military commanders took power in Mali after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security in the country where militants control large areas in the north and center. The government in charge now is led by General Assimi Goita.
The military government moved Mali away from France, and built strong relations with both Russia and Turkey. Recently, however, Goita has pursued closer ties with the United States.
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