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Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday strongly condemned a wave of coordinated terrorist attacks that struck Mali's capital Bamako and several other cities across the country, expressing solidarity with the West African nation in its fight against terrorism.
"We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that took place today in different regions of Mali," the ministry said in a written statement, extending condolences to the families of those killed and to the Malian people.
Ankara pledged continued support for Mali's counterterrorism efforts, with the ministry stating that Türkiye "will continue to stand in solidarity with Mali in its fight against terrorism and to support efforts toward the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region."
The Malian armed forces said unidentified terrorist groups launched coordinated strikes against military positions in Bamako and across the country in the early morning hours. The assault targeted the Kati military base near the capital, a military camp in the vicinity of Modibo Keita International Airport, and positions in the cities of Kidal, Gao and Sevare.
Residents reported heavy gunfire, explosions and clashes across multiple locations as the attacks unfolded simultaneously, pointing to a level of planning and coordination that signaled a significant escalation.
Mali has been mired in a protracted security crisis since 2012, when a Tuareg rebellion in the north spiraled into a broader terror insurgency that toppled the government and drew in French and United Nations forces. Despite multiple military interventions and peace agreements, armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Daesh have continued to operate across the country's vast and sparsely populated Sahel hinterland.
The current military government, which came to power following coups in 2020 and 2021, expelled French forces and pivoted toward Russia for security cooperation, deploying Wagner Group personnel , now rebranded as the Africa Corps, alongside Malian troops. The transition has done little to stem the violence, with insurgent attacks growing in frequency and reach in recent years.
Türkiye has expanded its diplomatic and economic footprint across sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, cultivating ties with governments across the Sahel. Ankara's condemnation reflects its broader policy of positioning itself as a partner to African states on security matters, a stance it has pursued through defense exports, military training agreements and high-level diplomatic engagement across the continent.
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