Insurgents attack military bases across Mali; airport shut

Insurgents launched attacks in Mali’s capital and other locations across the country Saturday, with the army urging people to remain calm as the military-led government faced one of the biggest operations yet in a long campaign against it.

- REUTERS

A UN security note said there had been “simultaneous complex attacks” in Kati, near Bamako’s airport and in cities and towns further north including Mopti, Gao and Kidal, while the US embassy in Mali urged its citizens to shelter in place.

Two explosions and sustained gunfire were heard shortly before 6 am (0600 GMT) near Mali’s main military base Kati, north of its capital Bamako, and shots were still ringing out in the area more than four hours later as army helicopters flew overhead, a Reuters witness and two residents said.