Türkiye has condemned a series of terrorist attacks across Mali, describing them as "heinous".
Loud explosions and sustained gunfire were reported on Saturday morning in several places including around the capital Bamako, Gao and Kidal in the north, and in the central city of Sévaré.
Mali's army said the situation was "under control" and that the "terrorist groups" who targeted several locations including military barracks had suffered "heavy setbacks".
The raids have sparked condemnation, with Türkiye expressing its solidarity with the West African country.
"We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that occurred today (25 April) in different regions of Mali. We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives in these heinous attacks, and we extend our condolences to their relatives and to the people of Mali," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Saturday evening.
"We will continue to stand in solidarity with Mali in its fight against terrorism and to support efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the region," it added.
‘Annihilating the attackers’
The Malian army has called on the citizens to be vigilant, saying the ''defence and security forces are engaged in annihilating the attackers.''
An Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group has claimed responsibility, saying it launched the attacks in a joint operation with Tuareg separatists. The number of casualties was not immediately clear.
Mali has faced persistent insecurity since 2012, with Al Qaeda and the Daesh terror groups carrying out attacks on military and civilian targets.
The West African country is also grappling with a much longer history of Tuareg-led separatism in the north.
One of the places affected by Saturday’s apparently coordinated attacks was Kati, the home of the country’s transitional leader Assimi Goïta, who has been in power since a military takeover in 2020.
