Our correspondents and field sources in Mali report that a series of coordinated attacks have targeted northern and central parts of the country, alongside armed movements inside the city of Kidal, in a significant escalation reflecting the widening scope of militant operations.
According to our sources, Azawad fighters have entered the city of Kidal, where clashes are ongoing in several neighborhoods, including the well-known district of “Atember.” Video footage obtained by our team shows armed elements advancing inside residential areas, with speakers in the clips stating that Malian forces have withdrawn from positions surrounding the city and that fighters are moving toward its center.
Additional footage shows a location inside the city described as the residence of a National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) leader identified as “Abilil,” while local sources told our correspondents that several drones belonging to Malian forces and Russian-linked elements have been shot down, although there has been no official confirmation.
In a related development, our sources said that the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has launched simultaneous attacks targeting multiple cities, including Kidal, Gao, and Sévaré, in operations whose timing and nature suggest a high level of coordination, though precise details on casualties and targets remain unclear.
In the capital Bamako, a source inside Camp Kati, the country’s largest military base, told our correspondents that a powerful explosion was heard within the facility. The cause of the blast remains unknown, and it is unclear whether it resulted from an attack or an accidental incident, with no official statement issued so far.
These developments come amid a broader surge in activity by armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State networks, as Mali’s transitional authorities face mounting security challenges.
Our well-placed sources further indicated that JNIM has already begun field movements in preparation for a large-scale offensive aimed at reasserting control over northern Mali and expelling Malian, Russian, and Sahel alliance forces.
Coverage is ongoing.
