Suspected jihadist fighters, working alongside separatist Tuareg allies, launched a fresh wave of coordinated attacks across several towns in Mali early Saturday, targeting military positions and a prison facility, according to security sources and local residents.
The attacks, which began around 5:00 a.m. local time, struck the northern towns of Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok, the central town of Sevare, as well as the Kenieroba prison near the capital, Bamako.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), said several military positions had been captured in Anefis, although fighting was still ongoing inside the town.
Residents reported that armed fighters had entered Anefis while Malian troops continued to resist. The military camp in the town had not fallen at the time of reporting.
Anefis and Aguelhok are among the last remaining military strongholds in the Kidal region following major offensives in late April that enabled separatist forces to seize the strategic city of Kidal.
In Gao, witnesses reported hearing heavy gunfire and loud explosions near an army base. Similar explosions were also heard in Sevare before military aircraft were seen flying over the area.
The Kenieroba prison, which houses suspected jihadists and other inmates, also came under attack. One prisoner told AFP that inmates had taken cover under their beds as gunfire continued.
The latest violence comes just over two months after coordinated attacks by the same armed groups dealt a major blow to Mali's ruling military government, including the killing of the country's defence minister.
Security operations were still ongoing in the affected areas, with no official casualty figures immediately released.
.jpeg)
.jpeg "Sunayen kofofin aljanna guda takwas 8")
0 Comment about the Post: