Gunmen launch attacks in Mali, India advises nationals to stay indoors

Gunmen attacked several locations in Mali’s capital Bamako and other cities early on Saturday in a possible coordinated assault.Mali’s army said in a statement, “unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks in the capital.” It added that soldiers were “currently engaged in eliminating the attackers.” As per reports, gunmen entered the northeastern city of Kidal, taking control of some neighbourhoods and leading to gunfire exchanges with the army, a former mayor of Kidal told AP over the phone. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for his safety.  A resident of Gao said gunfire and explosions started in the early hours of Saturday and could still be heard in the late morning.
An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group said Saturday that its fighters had joined forces with Tuareg rebels to launch attacks against the army across junta-ruled Mali. Helicopters buzzed over Bamako and around the international airport and fighting was reported at a nearby military base in what was one of the most complex attacks in years in the impoverished west African country.
Since 2012 Mali has grappled with a security crisis over attacks by jihadist groups, as well as criminal groups and separatists. The junta that seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021 said it was doing so to battle the jihadists more effectively, but attacks have continued. Thousands of people have died since the jihadist turmoil erupted, with tens of thousands seeking refuge in neighboring countries.Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition said they had seized the northern city of Kidal.
India on Saturday advised its nationals in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution and stay indoors due to recent security developments in the West African nation. The Indian Embassy in Bamako, in an advisory, said, “Due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other parts of Mali, the Embassy of India in Bamako urges all Indian nationals residing in Mali to remain highly vigilant, exercise utmost caution, stay indoors, and strictly follow the instructions issued by the Malian authorities from time to time.” The embassy added that it was closely monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with Malian authorities and will issue further updates as required.