Casablanca – Morocco said on Saturday it stands in solidarity with Mali after a wave of attacks hit several cities earlier in the day, targeting both civilian and military sites.
According to converging reports, a Moroccan diplomatic source said Rabat is following the situation with concern after violence was reported in Bamako and other areas. The source condemned the attacks, offered condolences to victims’ families, and reiterated Morocco’s support for Mali’s authorities on security, stability and territorial integrity.
The statement came as Mali woke up to heavy gunfire and explosions across multiple locations including Kidal, Sévaré, and Gao. Armed groups were reported to be involved in coordinated assaults.
Sources pointed to the Front de Libération de l’Azawad in Kidal, while the Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans, led by Iyad Ag Ghaly, was said to be active in both the north and the capital.
In Kati, the home of Defense Minister Sadio Camara was heavily damaged in an attack. The Malian army said it was responding to what it described as unidentified assailants and urged residents to stay calm.
Later in the day, it reported that armed groups had suffered major setbacks in several towns, with fighters neutralized and equipment destroyed, adding that the situation was under control.
In the capital, streets were largely empty and explosions echoed at intervals, particularly around the Sénou area near the airport and the Base 101 military zone. Helicopters were seen flying overhead through the morning.
The African Union (AU) also reacted. Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said he was closely following the attacks and strongly condemned them, warning of risks to civilians and reaffirming the AU’s commitment to stability in Mali. The United States issued a security alert advising its nationals to avoid travel to Kati.
By early afternoon, there were no confirmed reports of ongoing clashes, though authorities said the situation remained under close watch.
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