According to an official statement released Tuesday, a group of armed men who tried to infiltrate the Faladié gendarmerie school in the morning, was repulsed, and search operations are currently underway throughout the area.

The Army assured that the situation is under control and asked residents to remain calm, to avoid the scene of the incident and to be attentive to official information.

Based on local media, the incident, with the use of heavy and automatic weapons, occurred in the Faladie district of the Malian capital, specifically where the National College of the Gendarmerie is located.

Other unofficial and unconfirmed reports also refer to a simultaneous assault on the military camp of Senou, located near the airport of Bamako.

Political observers recall that Mali is the target of attacks by Islamist groups linked to Al Qaeda, such as Support for Islam and Muslims (Jnim), a branch of Al Qaeda in the Sahel.

jrr/jav/mem/fvt