Mali junta battles 'terrorist groups' amid intense fighting

BAMAKO, Apr 25: 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 reported intense fighting in a town near the capital where junta leader General AssimiGoita lives and other key cities in the nation, which has been stricken by more than a decade of jihadist conflict.

Tuareg rebels in the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition said they had seized the northern city of Kidal. AFP was not immediately able to verify the claim. The Malian junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has labelled the FLA a "terrorist" group. �"AFP