Bamako Under 3-Day Curfew; UN, ECOWAS, AU, US Condemn Mali Attacks; FAMa Claims Hundreds Killed in Repulsed Assault

On April 26, 2026, the Malian government and the international community issued formal responses to the April 25 coordinated JNIM-FLA offensive. Mali imposed a three-day overnight curfew on Bamako and surrounding areas, as FAMa launched large-scale sweep operations throughout Kati, Bamako, and adjacent zones. Government spokesperson Issa Ousmane Coulibaly confirmed 16 wounded (civilians and military) and stated that 'several militants' had been killed; FAMa's official statement claimed 'several hundred assailants neutralized' — a figure not independently verified given media restrictions. Russian military personnel were noted as participating in the defense of Bamako, with three Africa Corps helicopters confirmed patrolling the Modibo Keïta International Airport zone. Internationally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement saying he was 'deeply concerned by reports of attacks in several locations across Mali,' strongly condemned the violence, and called for 'coordinated international support to address the evolving threat of violent extremism and terrorism in the Sahel.' ECOWAS condemned the attacks and called on 'all states, security forces, regional mechanisms and populations of West Africa to unite and mobilize in a coordinated effort.' The African Union Chairperson strongly condemned the attacks, citing risks to civilian populations. The US State Department Bureau of African Affairs condemned the attacks and extended condolences. No statement from the French government was found, though France 24 characterized the events as 'a dramatic setback for the Malian government.' JNIM formally claimed responsibility for the joint operation via SITE Intelligence Group monitoring, stating: 'Together, we are carrying out a veritable transformation, in the service of religion, of the country and of the people.'