Mali attacks live: Gunfire heard near Bamako airport and in several cities

Given the latest reports from Mali, it’s worth revisiting this December episode of Project Force on the increased pressure that groups fighting in the Sahel are putting on regional governments:

There’s an element that’s very important to remember: The conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Why is that relevant?

Because Mali relies on Russian mercenaries, formerly known as the Wagner Group, for maintaining its security.

Now we know from witnesses that they’re fighting in Bamako, around the airport, where they have one of their headquarters.

But because there’s been so much pressure on the Russia-Ukraine front, some of these Russian mercenaries are being pulled out from Mali, which is affecting the security situation in Mali now.

According to military sources that we spoke to, the fighters who are involved in this coordinated attack are targeting military armed compounds.

I spoke to someone early on who is in downtown Bamako; he says in certain areas, there is an eerie calm.

People are trying to go out onto the streets, but there is also a message being put out on social media and on national television from the president of the transition government, telling the population that there are ongoing operations and that there are attacks by armed groups, without naming them.

However, there’s an unprecedented level of panic in the military ranks, according to some of the sources we spoke to.

We also spoke to someone inside the presidency, who says that the situation is under control.

According to eyewitnesses, there are drones hovering over the headquarters of the military in Kati, and there are coordinated efforts from the military to repel this coordinated attack from armed groups.

Here is the statement issued earlier today about the situation in Mali:

“The General Staff of the Armed Forces informs the public that unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in the capital and the interior early this morning, April 25, 2026.

Fighting is ongoing.

We call on the public to remain calm and vigilant.

Our defence and security forces are currently engaged in eliminating the attackers.

We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

United, we will prevail.

Bamako, April 25, 2026”

Mali is being run by a military government led by Assimi Goita, who first seized power in a coup in August 2020 during a wave of mass antigovernment protests in Bamako because of advancing swarms of armed groups from the north.

In May 2021, Goita staged another coup, kicking out the civilian president and installing himself as leader.

Initially, the military government pledged to return to civilian rule in March 2024 – but it did not.

We have a statement posted by the US embassy in Mali on social media.

It said that there were “reports of explosions and gunfire near Kati and the Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako” this morning.

The embassy added that US citizens “should shelter in place and avoid travel to these destinations until further information becomes available”.

The Malian army has said that it is fighting unidentified “terrorist groups” in the capital and other cities, after they attacked military positions.

AFP quoted witnesses reporting gunfire in several cities in the military-ruled state.

In its statement, the Malian army said that the “fighting is ongoing” and called on the population to remain calm and vigilant.

Local media reports say that in addition to the capital, Bamako, attacks have been reported in areas of Sevare, Gao, Kati and Kidal.

• Mali’s army says unidentified ⁠armed “terrorist” groups ⁠have attacked several military positions in ‌the capital and in the country’s interior.
• Two loud explosions and sustained gunfire were heard shortly before 6am (06:00 GMT) near Mali’s main military base, Kati, outside the capital Bamako. Soldiers were deployed to block roads, witnesses said.
• There was similar unrest at around the same time in the central town of Sevare, the town of Kidal, and the city of Gao in northern Mali.
• Mali’s army says fighting is ongoing and has asked the population to remain calm.
• Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-dominated rebel alliance, said on social media ⁠that forces had taken control of multiple positions in Kidal and Gao. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the claim.
• Gunfire ⁠could also be heard near a military camp close ⁠to Bamako’s airport, where Russian mercenary forces are based, a resident told Reuters.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the unrest in Mali, where the army says armed groups have launched nationwide attacks.

Please stay with us as we bring you all the latest news, reactions and analyses throughout the day.