By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Military authorities say the situation in Mali has been brought under control, following a series of attacks on Saturday, though shootings are still reportedly heard in the capital, Bamako, and helicopters flying overhead.
Gunmen attacked several locations across the country in the early hours of Saturday, in what appears to be a possible coordinated assault, residents and the authorities said.
Witnesses reported intense fighting in the nearby town of Kati, home to a major army barracks and junta leader General Assimi Goita.
Gunfire and explosions could be heard in several cities.
Meanwhile, Tuareg rebels in the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claim to have seized the northern city of Kidal and parts of Gao.
The Malian junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has labelled the FLA a “terrorist” group.
In a special update, a Malian army spokesperson said that “unidentified armed terrorist groups” had targeted certain locations and military barracks in the capital and the interior of the country.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant. Our defence and security forces are currently engaged in eliminating the attackers. We will provide further details later,” he said
The United Nations noted there had been “simultaneous complex attacks” in several towns and cities across the country and the airport in Bamako.
The US embassy in Mali issued a security alert on its website urging its citizens in and around the capital to “shelter in place”.
The African Union has condemned the armed attacks across Mali, warning of the threat to civilians and stability.
Like neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has severed ties with former colonial ruler France and some Western countries and moved closer to Russia.
Following military coups in all three countries, the leadership has turned to Moscow for help combating Islamic militants.
