Gunfire and blasts rock Mali’s capital and other cities, in apparent coordinated assault

Gunmen attacked several locations in Mali’s capital and other cities early today in a possible coordinated assault, residents and authorities say.

Mali’s army says in a statement that “unidentified armed terrorist groups targeted certain locations and barracks” in Bamako and that soldiers were “engaged in eliminating the attackers.”

In another statement later, it says the situation was brought under control.

Mali has been plagued by insurgencies fought by affiliates of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the north.

An Associated Press journalist in Bamako reports hearing sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle gunfire coming from Modibo Keïta International Airport, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the city center, and saw a helicopter over nearby neighborhoods. The airport is adjacent to an air base used by Mali’s air force. A resident living near the airport also reports gunfire and three helicopters patrolling overhead.

The US Embassy in Bamako has issued a security alert citing reports of explosions and gunfire near Kati and the international airport, and urges US citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel there.