The Latest Breaking News from Bamako

Mali separatists confirm they joined Islamic militants in coordinated attacks

Separatists in northern Mali have joined Islamic militants in a major coordinated attack on the Malian army

The Independent UK · Apr 26

Watch: Gunfire, blasts rock Mali's capital, other cities; defence min's residence targeted — what we know so far

Fresh violence erupted across Mali early Saturday, with "unidentified armed terrorist groups" targeting multiple locations including the capital Bamako, its international airport, and the key military town of Kati. Attacks also spread to northern cities, with the Azawad Liberation Front reportedly entering Kidal. The defense minister's house in Kati was…

The Times of India · Apr 25

Malian army confirms clashes with armed fighters in key cities

Mali's army confirmed on Saturday it was involved in clashes with armed fighters who had attacked army barracks in the capital Bamako and other areas in the country.

Radio France Internationale · Apr 25

Bamako is under pressure, not under siege: the difference and why it matters

Mali has been struggling for over a decade to defeat “jihadists” around Gao, Kidal and Ségou. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), linked to al-Qaida, is believed to be the most vicious of the terrorist groups operating there, based on the scale of its attacks.

The Conversation · Nov 18, 2025

Amid fuel crisis and conflict, Mali’s giant puppets bring life and hope to Bamako

Giant puppets paraded in Bamako for the annual puppet festival, offering a rare moment of joy despite economic and security challenges.

Euronews · Nov 10, 2025

Mali’s economy near standstill amid JNIM fuel attacks

An ongoing fuel blockade initiated by the JNIM jihadist group in Mali has brought the landlocked Sahel nation’s economy to a near standstill. In an effort to isolate the capital, Bamako, and exert pressure on the ruling junta, the militants have intensified their attacks on fuel tankers, prompting Western governments…

Radio France Internationale · Nov 5, 2025

How al-Qaida-linked jihadist group JNIM is bringing Mali to its knees

Political instability and fuel shortages caused by rebel group is driving Mali to brink of becoming Islamist republic

The Guardian - UK · Nov 1, 2025

Jihadists have blockaded Mali’s capital. What’s at stake

A coalition of jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaida have laid siege to landlocked Mali’s capital. For over a month, they have attacked convoys supplying Bamako with fuel, putting considerable pressure on the military junta that has been ruling the country for five years.

The Conversation · Oct 31, 2025

Bamako under siege: why Mali’s army is struggling to break the jihadist blockade of the capital

When the military overthrew the democratically elected government in Mali in 2020, coup leader General Assimi Goita promised to root out jihadists in the north of the country. Mali had been struggling to defeat them for nearly a decade.

The Conversation · Oct 31, 2025

Desperate search for fuel in Mali's capital as al-Qaida-linked group enforces blockade

Residents in Mali's capital, Bamako, are struggling with a fuel shortage due to a blockade by a militant group linked to al-Qaida

The Independent UK · Oct 8, 2025