Topic summary
2026 Mali offensives
Azawad Liberation Front
Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin
Islamic State
Sahel Province (from April 28)
Alghabass Ag IntallaBilal Ag AcherifIyad Ag GhaliAmadou KoufaAbu al-Bara al-Sahrawi
Abdoulaye Maïga
Sadio CamaraXModibo Koné (WIA)
Andrey Averyanov
Vladimir Selivyorstov
/ 10,000—12,000 (per Africa Corps)400–2,000
2,500+ killed (per Africa Corps)
305+ killed in Russian airstrikes (per Russia)
16 wounded (per Mali)
several dozen killed (in Kidal, per FLA)
200+ captured (in Kidal, per FLA)
1 Africa Corps Mil Mi-35 helicopter (with crew and mobile fire group killed)
Since 25 April 2026, a series of joint coordinated attacks have been carried out by Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) across multiple locations in Mali. The JNIM fighters launched attacks in Bourem, Bamako, Kati, Sévaré, Senou and Mopti. The FLA took control of Kidal and parts of Gao. The Islamic State's Sahel Province (IS-SP) also launched its own attacks under the cover of the FLA–JNIM attacks, taking control of Labbezanga and launching an assault on Menaka, that was repulsed.
The coordinated attacks are the largest offensive in the Mali War since the 2012 rebellion. There have been joint attacks by JNIM and the FLA in Azawadi-claimed territory, while in southern and central Mali, JNIM has acted independently. The offensive targeted government centers in Bamako and Kati, which resulted in the killing of Defense Minister Sadio Camara and injury of intelligence chief Modibo Koné, as well as the cities of Kidal, Gao, Sévaré and Mopti. Malian troops and Russia's Africa Corps subsequently withdrew from Kidal, Aguelhok and Tessalit in the Kidal Region; Tessit in the Gao Region; and Ber in the Tombouctou Region. The Malian government and Russia's Africa Corps described the attacks as a coup attempt that has been thwarted.
The offensives were renewed on 4 July 2026, when coordinated attacks occurred across various locations including Anéfis and . The attacks also plunged the Malian state into a water and power crisis.