Mali, terrorists attack Bamako and other cities. Russian army and mercenaries withdraw from the north

NAIROBI - Armed gangs of 'terrorists' and separatists launched several attacks on 25 April on the Malian capital Bamako and other locations in the north and centre of the Sahelian country, plagued by more than a decade of instability and ruled by the military junta that rose to the top after the double coup in 2020 and 2021.

The army reported in a note that 'unidentified armed terrorist groups have targeted a number of locations and barracks in the capital', with gunfire and heavy artillery strikes also recorded in the vicinity of Modibo Keïta International Airport. The airport had already been in the crosshairs with an attack on a training centre in its vicinity, launched in 2024 and claimed by the Islamists of Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (Jnim).

The Ap and Afp agencies report explosions or outright clashes in other areas of the country such as the military stronghold Kati, Sevare, Gao and Kidal. The last two have come under the control of the Tuareg Azawad rebels: 'From Gao to Kidal, administrative infrastructures and military positions pass under the banner of honour and freedom,' exulted separatist spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane on Facebook.

In a statement issued in the evening of 25-26 April, Jnim formally attributed the attack to itself and spoke of an offensive conducted 'together' with the Azawad separatists, confirming the reconstruction of a coordinated initiative between the groups.

The military have declared the restoration of 'control' over the capital on the day of the attacks, except to beat a retreat from the north together with Russian contractors.