Explosions and gunfire echoed across Bamako, Mali’s capital, early Tuesday morning, according to a France-Presse correspondent.
An anonymous gendarmerie official reported that unidentified armed men attacked at least one gendarmerie camp in Bamako. The shooting, which varied in intensity, began around 5:00 AM and was interrupted by occasional explosions. Black smoke was seen rising near the airport later in the morning.
Mali, a country plagued by poverty, has been grappling with activities from militant and separatist groups. Since 2012, the country has faced a severe, multi-dimensional crisis, with deadly attacks from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as self-defense militias, bandits, and criminal gangs.
The nation has experienced two military coups—one in August 2020 and another in May 2021. It is currently governed by a military council led by Colonel Assimi Goïta. Neighboring countries, Burkina Faso and Niger, have also experienced recent military coups.
