US, AU Condemn Coordinated Terror Attacks on Military Bases Across Mali

US, AU Condemn Coordinated Terror Attacks on Military Bases Across Mali

The United States and the African Union (AU) have strongly condemned a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks in Mali that targeted multiple military installations across the country on Saturday, including the capital Bamako and several strategic cities.

The attacks, which began around 6 a.m. local time, were described by Mali’s army as simultaneous assaults carried out by unidentified armed groups on key military positions in Mali.

The Malian Armed Forces reported that the attackers struck several high-value targets, including the heavily fortified Kati military base, which houses major barracks and is located near the residence of the country’s military leadership. Other affected locations include areas close to Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako, as well as military positions in northern cities such as Gao and Kidal, and the central town of Sévaré in the Mopti region.

Eyewitnesses reported loud explosions, heavy gunfire, and the deployment of military helicopters as security forces responded rapidly to contain the situation.

The Malian army said its troops engaged the attackers in multiple locations and inflicted heavy losses, adding that several assailants were neutralised during the clashes. Security operations are still ongoing, with the military conducting clearance and sweep operations to secure affected areas and prevent further attacks. Authorities also urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified reports as the situation remains fluid.

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Although no group has claimed responsibility, security analysts say the scale and coordination of the attacks are consistent with tactics previously linked to JNIM (Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin), an al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group operating in the Sahel region.

The United States government condemned the attacks, expressing condolences to victims and reaffirming its commitment to supporting counterterrorism efforts in West Africa. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security advisory urging American citizens to shelter in place and avoid movement in high-risk areas, including Kati and routes leading to the international airport.

Washington said it remains committed to working with regional partners to promote peace, stability, and security in the Sahel.

The African Union Commission also condemned the attacks, describing them as a serious threat to both civilian populations and regional stability. AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed solidarity with the Malian government and people, warning that continued violence risks further destabilising the broader Sahel region. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to supporting peacebuilding, governance reforms, and counter-extremism efforts across West Africa.

Mali has faced more than a decade of insecurity driven by jihadist insurgency, ethnic violence, and political instability, worsened by successive military coups. Despite ongoing cooperation with foreign military partners, including Russian-backed forces, armed groups continue to launch deadly attacks on both military and civilian targets.

Security experts say the latest coordinated assault highlights the growing sophistication of militant networks and the continuing challenge of restoring full control in remote and urban areas.

Casualty figures remain unconfirmed as military operations continue across multiple regions. Authorities say some areas are gradually being stabilised, but clearance operations are still ongoing. The attacks are being described as one of the most coordinated and widespread security incidents in Mali in recent years, raising renewed concerns over terrorism in the Sahel region.

US, AU Condemn Coordinated Terror Attacks on Military Bases Across Mali