Insurgents attack multiple towns in northern and central Mali, army says

A Malian army convoy drives through the desert between Gao and Anefis, Mali. Illustration. AP - Rebecca Blackwell

Jihadists and their separatist ​Tuareg-led allies have hit northern Mali, where government troops and Russian paramilitary forces are based, with fresh coordinated attacks – striking several towns and a prison, according to the army, residents and security sources.

Jihadists with the al-Qaeda linked JNIM and members of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched coordinated assaults at around 5:00 am on Saturday.