A military helicopter offensive is under way in the capital following a series of dawn raids targeting the ruling junta’s inner circle.

The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg-led rebel alliance, said late Saturday that its armed forces took “total control” of the northern Malian city of Kidal, following an operation, according to a statement by its executive bureau.

Mali's ​army ​said on Saturday that unidentified armed "terrorist" groups ​had attacked ‌⁠military positions ‌in the ⁠capital and in several towns in the country's interior, with fighting ongoing.

The army in junta-ruled Mali on Saturday battled what it called "terrorist groups" that launched surprise attacks around the capital Bamako and other parts of the west African nation.A Malian army

Islamist militants struck across the country in an "unprecedented" attack believed to be waged by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin.

The army in junta-ruled Mali on Saturday battled what it called "terrorist groups" that launched surprise attacks around the capital Bamako and other parts of the west African nation.

Witnesses report clashes in the centre and north, in what has been described as the largest jihadist attack in years.

Footage released on Saturday (April 25) shows armed members of an unidentified group gathering in the centre of Kidal in Mali, as smoke rose in the distance. Militants staged attacks in Mali's capital Bamako and in several locations in the interior of the country on Saturday morning,

An al Qaeda affiliate and Tuareg rebels launched attacks across Mali, claiming success in multiple locations including Kidal. The military repelled the assault, killing 'several hundred' assailants. Meanwhile,

Insurgents launched attacks across Mali early on Saturday, with the army later saying it had regained control.

Social media video shows several armed men inside Kidal governor's office compound after reported attacks in Mali.