The army in junta-ruled Mali reported fighting surprise attacks by separatist groups near the capital, Bamako. The Azawad Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the assaults.

The army in junta-ruled Mali said on Saturday it was battling what it called “terrorist groups” that launched surprise attacks around the capital Bamako and other parts of the West African nation. The attacks were claimed by the Azawad Liberation Front, a separatist group that has been fighting the Malian army for more than a decade. FRANCE 24 journalist Justice Baidoo reported that the FLA has largely been confined to northern Mali in recent years.