Fighting is ongoing and the military is repelling attackers, the Malian military said. Witnesses and a security source reported explosions and sustained gunfire around the Kati military base outside Bamako, and witnesses also heard gunfire near Bamako's international airport. The attack included targeting the presidential jet and UNHAS planes, according to social media images. BBC analysis indicates at least 60 and possibly up to 80 or 100 people were killed, with 200 or more wounded, though Mali's military rulers have not released an official death toll.
It is unclear who is behind the attacks, according to multiple reports. However, research sources indicate the attack was carried out by al-Qaeda affiliated jihadists, as implied by an al-Qaeda flag seen at the scene. The discrepancy in attribution reflects the fog of war and the complexity of jihadist groups operating in the Sahel.
Reports indicate attacks or fighting also occurred in Gao and Sévaré, though details remain scarce. A resident traveling from Ethiopia said all flights into Bamako were cancelled early on Saturday, disrupting travel and raising concerns about the security of the capital's main transport hub.
Mali is ruled by a military junta led by Gen Assimi Goïta, who seized power in a 2020 coup and staged a second coup in May 2021, according to multiple reports. The junta promised to restore security and push back armed groups, but the jihadist insurgency has continued, and large parts of the north and east remain outside government control. Unspecified observers say the capital Bamako has been more or less besieged by jihadists in an attempt to starve out the junta.
The UN peacekeeping mission and French forces left after the junta took over, and the military government hired Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, according to multiple reports. The junta's hiring of Wagner led to a row with France and the withdrawal of French forces, further straining international relations and reducing external security support.
The jihadist insurgency has continued, and large parts of the north and east remain outside government control, according to multiple reports. The capital Bamako has been more or less besieged by jihadists in an attempt to starve out the junta, according to unspecified observers.
Sweden's foreign ministry urged all Swedes in Mali to leave the country in November 2025 due to deteriorated security, highlighting the growing international concern over the situation. The attack on the airport and military base underscores the fragility of the security environment in Bamako.
The Malian military said it is combating what it calls terrorist groups that have launched attacks in several places. However, the military has not released an official death toll, and the exact date and timeline of the attack(s) remain unclear. The discrepancy between reports of attacks on Saturday and Tuesday suggests either different events or a reporting error, affecting the timeline and understanding of the security situation. The specific targets also differ: major media reports mention Kati military base and airport, while research sources mention the airport complex and Faladié training centre, indicating multiple attack sites or confusion. The lack of official casualty figures and the conflicting reports on responsibility underscore the challenges in assessing the severity and implications of the attack.