‘Gunfire everywhere’: Explosions heard near Mali international airport, military base

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NEW DELHI: A series of coordinated attacks rocked Mali on early Saturday, with gunfire and explosions reported in the capital Bamako. Firing was also heard near a military camp close to the city’s international airport, Reuters reported.The Malian Armed Forces said unidentified “terrorist” groups targeted several positions in the capital and other parts of the country in a coordinated assault. Authorities said that fighting was still ongoing and urged residents to remain calm.Two loud explosions followed by sustained gunfire were heard shortly before 6 am (GMT) near the Kati military base, a key installation located outside Bamako, according to a Reuters witness. Security forces quickly moved in, blocking roads in the area as the situation unfolded.Gunfire could also be heard near a military camp close to Bamako’s airport that houses Russian mercenary forces. “We hear gunfire towards the military camp. It’s not the airport itself, but the camp that secures the airport,” a resident told the agency, requesting anonymity.The unrest was not limited to the capital. Similar incidents were reported around the same time in central and northern regions, including the towns of Sevare, Kidal and the city of Gao.While no group immediately claimed responsibility, four security sources told the agency that Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a regional affiliate of al-Qaeda, was likely involved. The group has frequently carried out attacks on military installations across Mali.Mali has been under military leadership since coups in 2020 and 2021 brought Assimi Goita to power. The junta had pledged to restore stability, but militant attacks on both security forces and civilians have continued at an alarming pace.The government has increasingly relied on Russian mercenaries for security support, while scaling back defence cooperation with Western nations. More recently, however, Bamako has explored renewed engagement with the United States.A Reuters report in March said Mali and Washington were close to an agreement that would allow US aircraft and drones to operate over Malian airspace for intelligence-gathering against jihadist groups.