Jihadist and Tuareg rebels launch coordinated attacks across Mali

Jihadist groups and their separatist Tuareg allies launched a series of coordinated attacks across Mali on Saturday, striking several towns and a prison in a campaign that comes months after a similar wave of assaults that weakened the country’s military junta. The attacks were carried out by an alliance of Islamist militants and Tuareg rebels, who have increasingly targeted government infrastructure and security forces in an effort to destabilise the junta’s control.

The coordinated strikes hit multiple towns in the north‑central region, with reports of gunfire, improvised explosive devices and shelling. A prison in the town of Kourou was also attacked, raising concerns about the security of detainees and the capacity of local authorities to respond. The junta, which has been grappling with insurgent activity since taking power, has already suffered significant setbacks from earlier attacks that disrupted its operations and eroded public confidence.

The new wave of violence underscores the ongoing challenge Mali faces from both jihadist and separatist actors. While the government has pledged to strengthen security measures, the attacks highlight the difficulty of maintaining control over remote areas and the need for a coordinated response to counter the growing threat posed by these armed groups.