Separatists in northern Mali have confirmed their involvement alongside Islamic militants in one of the largest coordinated assaults on the Malian army, targeting the capital and multiple cities. At least 16 people were wounded in the attacks, which mark the first time the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) has publicly acknowledged operating in tandem with the al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM.
Joint Operation Claimed
JNIM claimed responsibility for Saturday's attacks on Bamako's international airport and four other cities in central and northern Mali. FLA spokesperson Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadan stated, "This operation is being carried out in partnership with the JNIM, which is also committed to defending the people against the military regime in Bamako."
Government Response
Mali government spokesperson Gen. Issa Ousmane Coulibaly confirmed on state television late Saturday that 16 individuals, including civilians and military personnel, were wounded, and several militants were killed. He did not provide a death toll. The governor of Bamako's district, Abdoulaye Coulibaly, announced a three-day overnight curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Call for Russian Reconsideration
The separatists urged Russia to "reconsider its support for the military junta in Bamako, whose actions have contributed to the suffering of the civilian population." Following military coups, the juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso shifted from Western allies to Russia for assistance in combating Islamic militants. However, the security situation has deteriorated, with a record number of militant attacks. Government forces have also been accused of killing civilians suspected of collaborating with militants.
Historical Context
In 2024, an al-Qaida-linked group claimed an attack on Bamako's airport and a military training camp, killing scores. Ramadan posted on Facebook Saturday that separatist forces had taken control of the northern town of Kidal and parts of Gao. The Azawad separatists have long fought for an independent state in northern Mali. Kidal, a stronghold of the separatist rebellion, was captured by Malian government forces and Russian mercenaries in 2023, a symbolic victory for the junta and its allies.
