Violence in Mali

Mali army: “The situation is under control”

The situation in Mali is “completely under control” after Islamists and Tuareg rebels launched a coordinated attack on five locations early on Saturday. This is stated by the Malian army according to Reuters.

The army adds that 20 “terrorists” were killed in Sévaré in the central part of Mali, and another six in Gao in the east. One soldier was killed and four were wounded, they add.

Residents in Sévaré and Gao testify to the fierce fighting.

– No one could go out this morning [...] the army has blocked all the streets. We are at home. It sounded so loud that we thought the roof would collapse, says a resident of Gao.

New coordinated attacks on several cities in Mali

Islamists and Tuareg rebels have carried out new coordinated attacks on several cities in Mali, Reuters reports. A prison has also been attacked.

The fighting began early Saturday morning, more than two months after the two groups attacked the ruling junta. In those attacks, the junta's defense minister, Sadio Camara, was killed, writes TT.

Two of the towns, Anéfis and Aguelhok, are the last in the region where the Malian army still has a presence.