BAMAKO, Mali — April 28, 2026 : Armed militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked group, have launched a coordinated nationwide offensive and declared a total siege of the capital, Bamako, following simultaneous attacks on military and strategic targets across Mali.
The escalation began on April 25, when JNIM fighters, operating alongside the Tuareg-aligned Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), carried out attacks in multiple regions, including Kati, Kidal, Gao, Mopti, Sévaré and surrounding areas of Bamako. The offensive represents one of the most extensive coordinated operations in the country in recent years.
Defense Minister Killed in Kati Attack
Mali’s Defense Minister, Sadio Camara, was killed during the early phase of the offensive. According to government confirmation, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) struck his residence in the garrison town of Kati, approximately 15 kilometers north of Bamako. He later died from injuries sustained in the blast and subsequent engagement.
JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it specifically targeted senior military leadership. Kati, which hosts a major military base and serves as a central hub for Mali’s ruling junta, was among the primary targets during the opening phase.
Infrastructure Damage and Prisoners of War Claims
JNIM stated that it destroyed multiple military installations on the outskirts of Bamako, including positions near Modibo Keita International Airport. The group also reported overrunning checkpoints and forward operating bases, claiming it is holding an undisclosed number of Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) personnel as prisoners of war.
A spokesman identified as Abu Hudheifah al-Bambari (also known as Bina Diarra) announced on April 28 that the group had initiated a full siege of Bamako and warned civilians to avoid areas of active combat between militants and government forces.
Territorial Gains and Ongoing Fighting
JNIM and its allied elements claimed varying degrees of control in several regions, including Mopti, Sévaré and Gao. The FLA separately announced control over Kidal following intense fighting. In contrast, Malian authorities stated that Bamako and Kati remain under government control, though clashes continue in surrounding areas.
Combat operations remain active across key transit corridors and urban centers, including Bourem, Gao, Mopti and Sévaré, with reports of localized sieges and disruptions to movement and supply routes.
Russian Africa Corps Faces Setbacks
The Russian Africa Corps, which supports Malian forces and succeeded the Wagner Group’s presence, has faced operational difficulties during the offensive. The force confirmed its withdrawal from Kidal on April 27 after coordinated attacks by JNIM-aligned fighters and Tuareg separatists.
In northern and eastern regions, including Ménaka, Russian and Malian units have reportedly retreated from exposed positions, in some cases consolidating within fortified bases rather than holding urban centers. The Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) has also increased pressure in these areas, contributing to territorial losses and defensive repositioning.
Broader Security Context
The current situation reflects ongoing instability in Mali and the wider Sahel region. The withdrawal of French forces under Operation Barkhane in 2022 and the subsequent departure of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) between 2024 and 2025 reduced external military and intelligence support available to Malian authorities.
Analysts note that these developments have altered the regional security environment, enabling armed groups such as JNIM and ISGS to expand operations and coordinate attacks across wider areas.
Government Response
Mali’s transitional government has stated that national forces are actively responding and that the situation in Bamako and Kati remains under control. However, fighting continues in multiple regions as militant groups consolidate positions around key cities and infrastructure.
JNIM, formed in 2017 through the merger of several Al-Qaeda-aligned factions, remains active across Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and has continued to conduct attacks on military and civilian targets throughout the Sahel.
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