A Moroccan diplomatic source has strongly condemned the “terrorist and separatist” attacks that rocked on Saturday Bamako and other cities in Mali, targeting civilian and military areas.
In a statement posted on the website of the Moroccan foreign ministry, the same source said Morocco follows “with great concern” these “cowardly and criminal acts” and expresses solidarity with Mali as well as full support for the sovereignty, security, stability and territorial integrity with this brotherly African country.
Morocco reaffirms its constant standing with the Malian national authorities in their efforts to fight terrorism and separatism in Mali and the Sahel, the diplomatic source said.
The Malian army on Saturday battled what it called “terrorist groups” that launched surprise attacks around the capital Bamako and other parts of the west African nation.
Heavy gunfire was heard at Kati, in the Bamako suburbs, where General Assimi Goita has his residence and other key cities in the nation, which has been stricken by more than a decade of jihadist conflict.
An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group teamed up with Tuareg rebels to launch coordinated attacks against the army across Mali.
Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition on Saturday said they had seized the northern city of Kidal, supported by jihadist fighters.
Yet, a Malian army statement said Saturday: “Terrorist groups, not yet identified, early this morning targeted certain points and barracks in the capital and the interior” of the country.
“We call on the population to be vigilant. Our defense and security forces are engaged in annihilating the attackers,” added the statement relayed by AFP, which said fighting was reported around Bamako, at Gao and Kidal in the north, and in the central city of Sevare.
The army said that “several terrorists have been neutralized and equipment destroyed”.
The attacks left 16 civilians and soldiers wounded and caused “limited material damage,” the government said in a statement on Saturday evening, adding that “the situation is totally under control in all the localities” that were attacked.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned “acts of violence” in the West African nation.
“The Secretary‑General is deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General calls for coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel and to meet urgent humanitarian needs,” the spokesman added.
According to press reports, fighting resumed in Kidal Sunday morning.
Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold, was retaken in November 2023 by the Malian army, ending more than a decade of control by rebels.