The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) said in a statement attributed to it that it had carried out a series of attacks targeting key government and military sites in Mali, including the presidential palace “Koulouba,” the Ministry of Defence at Sundiata Keita military camp, Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako, and military positions in the city of Kati.
In the statement, the group said it had taken control of the town of Diabaly, as well as most army bases and what it described as mercenary positions in Sévaré and Gao. It also claimed control of Kidal following clashes with Malian forces and allied troops, in coordination with fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front.
The statement said the developments were the result of coordinated field operations with allied groups and indicated an objective of altering the situation on the ground. It also referred to efforts to neutralize Russian forces in the conflict in exchange for non-engagement, with no official response from Moscow.
In a related development, Mohamed Mouloud Ramadan, spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front, said the group’s fighters had taken control of large parts of Gao and Kidal and their surrounding areas, adding that Malian and Russian-linked forces remained stationed in military bases outside the cities.
He said the group’s objective was to regain full control of Azawad and expressed readiness to cooperate with other actors opposing the current government in Mali.
He also said information available to them indicated that JNIM fighters had taken control of key positions in Bamako, including the airport and Kati base, as well as the town of Sévaré, although these claims could not be independently verified.
Malian authorities have not yet issued any official comment on the statement or the claims made, as multiple cities across the country experience simultaneous attacks and rapidly evolving developments.
