Mali rebels attack northern towns and prison near Bamako in coordinated assaults

Coordinated attacks erupted in Mali on Saturday, targeting several northern and central towns as well as a prison south of the capital. Rebels from the Front de libération de l’Azawad (FLA) said they were striking at least three locations in the north, including Anefis, a key gateway to Kidal, and Aguelhok in the Kidal region. Gunfire was also reported in Gao and the central town of Sévaré. Russian mercenaries allied with the Malian army were reported to be stationed in some of the contested camps.

Around 70 km from Bamako, the prison in Kéniéroba (Kenioroba) was attacked; armed men set fire to several vehicles inside the facility and cut communications, raising concerns about a possible jailbreak. Authorities described the incidents as attempted attacks. The violence follows the earlier seizure of Kidal in April, which saw jihadist groups JNIM and the FLA overturn a major military gain and kill the defence minister, underscoring the fragile security situation in the country.