Gunfire and explosions were reported Saturday in the capital Bamako and at a large military base outside the capital, as well as in Gao and central areas, with gunfire continuing in the northern city of Kidal.
Attacks by Tuareg rebels trying to establish a separate ethnic state were concentrated in northern areas, while armed groups linked to al Qaeda and ISIL targeted cities across the country.
The country has been battling extremist violence for more than 14 years. The UN mission was deployed in 2013 after a quickly suppressed uprising and subsequent failed coup by separatist rebels trying to take over the north.
Mali’s current military government – which has been in power since two coups in early 2020 – reportedly said on Saturday evening that it had launched a successful counter-offensive, killing hundreds of rebels.
Military ruler President Assimi Goita came to power in 2021 promising to restore security against the growing control of armed groups in the north and central regions.
It remains in control of military forces but Al Jazeera was reporting on Sunday that Defense Minister General Sadio Camara was killed during Saturday’s coordinated attacks.
Guterres ‘deeply concerned’
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement released Saturday night that it was “deeply concerned” over attacks across Mali.
“He strongly condemns these acts of violence, expresses solidarity with the Malian people and stresses the need to protect civilians and civil infrastructure.”
security council-mandatory UN peacekeeping missions, MinusmaFully retired in 2023 after being asked to leave by the military government, citing worsening security situation in the country.
In 2022, French military and EU training missions were also ordered by the leadership in Bamako, which has maintained support of Russian mercenaries in its stabilization efforts.
‘Our sympathies are with all the citizens’
UN humanitarian operations continue in Mali, coordinated under a needs and response plan, which aims to assist approximately 3.8 million of the more than five million people in need.
The top United Nations official in Mali who coordinates the organization’s work inside the country, hana hamdi-singerSaid in a social media post on Sunday: “Our thoughts are with all citizens affected, especially those who have already faced significant hardships And now face new challenges.”
He said the UN “remains steadfast in its commitment to support civilians in need and will continue to closely monitor developments.”
Over the past few years, extremist groups – notably the al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM – have continued to encroach on territory in the wider Sahel region, targeting economic centers and trade routes as well as civilians.
Need for ‘strong’ coordination
In light of this weekend’s attacks in Mali, UN chief calls for more There is a need for “coordinated international support to combat the growing threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel” and better address urgent humanitarian needs.
“They reiterated their call for stronger security coordination and cooperation across the region,” the statement concluded.
