Mali: Coordinated Attacks Underway in Multiple Locations, Targeting Prison

Mali is facing a renewed wave of insecurity as coordinated attacks by jihadists and their Tuareg separatist allies target several locations across the country. Assaults are ongoing in Gao, Anéfis, and Aguelhok in the north, Sévaré in the center, and the Kéniéroba prison, situated 70 kilometers from the capital, Bamako. The fighting began around 5 a.m. local time. This surge in violence comes just over two months after major attacks in late April, carried out by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA) separatists. Those earlier assaults significantly weakened the ruling junta and resulted in the death of the defense minister. In Anéfis, FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane stated that separatists had captured "several posts" and that fighting continued within the town. An inhabitant confirmed that armed groups were in the town but the army was still resisting. Anéfis and Aguelhok represent the last Malian army strongholds in the Kidal region following the April offensives, which saw the strategic city of Kidal fall under Tuareg control. In Gao, residents reported hearing "strong detonations" near an army camp. In Sévaré, explosions were heard early in the morning, with their origin unknown, followed by the sighting of several aircraft over the area. At Kéniéroba prison, where jihadists are reportedly held, a prisoner contacted by AFP described the situation as dire: "We are under our beds, the shooting continues."

“

We are under our beds, the shooting continues.