Mali reports coordinated attacks on five towns and prison

Armed groups launched coordinated attacks across five locations in Mali on Saturday, July 4, targeting military positions and a major prison in a significant escalation of the country's long-running security crisis. The assaults struck the northern towns of Anefis and Aguelhok, the central cities of Gao and Sevare, and the Kenieroba prison complex southwest of the capital, Bamako.

Mali's armed forces confirmed the attacks, stating that security forces had responded and that operations were ongoing to restore order. According to military and security sources, the fighting began around 5 a.m. local time (0500 GMT). A spokesperson for the Tuareg-led separatist group, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), confirmed its fighters attacked the town of Anefis in the northeastern Kidal region.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, the FLA spokesperson, said several positions had fallen but that fighting was still underway inside Anefis. A resident contacted by news agencies reported that armed groups were in the town but the army was still putting up resistance, noting that the military camp there had not yet fallen. The towns of Anefis and Aguelhok are the last remaining locations where Mali's army...