Mali

'Rise up and unite': Al Qaeda-linked insurgents call on Malians to establish Sharia law

"We call upon all sincere patriots, without exception, to rise up and unite," said JNIM, which launched assaults on April 25 in coordination with the Tuareg-dominated rebel group FLA.

|ByREUTERS
Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition gather at the Kidal roundabout in Kidal, on April 26, 2026.
A Malian soldier stands in position with his weapon during an attack on Mali's main military base Kati outside the capital Bamako, Mali April 25, 2026

Islamic State-linked insurgents leave Mali town as army tries to reassert control

The attacks risked triggering a scramble for territory across Mali's vast desert north, raising the prospect of significant gains by armed groups.

|ByREUTERS
Colonel Sadio Camara, Minister of Defense and Veterans of Mali, is seen at the meeting of Ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Ouagadougou, February 15, 2024.

Mali's defense minister reported dead in major al-Qaeda-linked assault

Two explosions and sustained gunfire were heard shortly before 6 a.m. on Saturday near Mali's main military base, and shots were still ringing out in the area more than four hours later.

|ByREUTERS
A Malian soldier stands in position with his weapon during an attack on Mali's main military base Kati outside the capital Bamako, Mali April 25, 2026

Gunmen stage simultaneous attacks in and outside Mali capital, army says

Gunfire could also be heard early on Saturday near a military camp close to Bamako's airport that houses Russian mercenary forces, a resident said.

|ByREUTERS

Militants kill 54 in attack on Mali army post; IS claims responsibility

Islamic state claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq news agency on Saturday, without providing evidence.

NOVEMBER 3, 2019ByREUTERS
mali special forces