Coordinated jihadist and Tuareg attacks hit multiple towns and prison in Mali

Jihadist groups allied with the Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched coordinated assaults on Saturday morning across northern and central Mali. The attacks struck the towns of Gao, Anefis, Aguelhok and Sevare, as well as the Kenieroba prison complex located south‑west of Bamako. Residents reported gunfire, explosions and aircraft flying over the affected areas.

The fighting follows the April 25‑26 offensives that saw the strategic northern city of Kidal fall to FLA fighters and resulted in the death of the country’s defence minister during earlier attacks on the ruling junta. The latest assaults revive the security crisis that has plagued Mali since 2012, involving JNIM – a network linked to Al‑Qaeda – and separatist Tuareg forces. Human Rights Watch has documented civilian rights violations by both jihadists and Mali’s army, which is supported by Russian‑backed forces.