‘We saw terrible things’: Mali refugees tell of atrocities amid attacks
Thousands of Malians have been forced to flee their country as several groups, including the army, assault them.
![A Malian refugee now willing to the identified sits in his tent in Dounkara village, Mauritania [Shola Lawal/Al Jazeera]](https://aljazeeranews.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/P1040667-1776903867.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Thousands of Malians have been forced to flee their country as several groups, including the army, assault them.
![A Malian refugee now willing to the identified sits in his tent in Dounkara village, Mauritania [Shola Lawal/Al Jazeera]](https://aljazeeranews.edgeone.app/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/P1040667-1776903867.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)








‘They should be ready to hear us roar,’ says military ruler Tiani, who thanked Russian troops for defending airbase.

Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard near Niger’s international airport in Niamey on Thursday.
Mali and Burkina Faso are the latest to issue ‘tit-for-tat’ bans on visas for US citizens with immediate effect.

A recent summit of The Alliance of Sahel States has raised security and economic hopes for Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Since withdrawing from ECOWAS, the post-coup countries have inaugurated a new bank, TV station and joint military force.
Military rulers expand emergency powers, warning that people, property, and services may be requisitioned.
Sahel countries launch a joint battalion to fight armed groups as they boost ties with Russia amid rising insecurity.
Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali have launched joint battalion aiming to bolster sovereignty after group booted out France, US.

Leaders from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are hoping to find a way to repel advancing fighters linked to al-Qaeda.
The regional bloc seemed resigned to the coup crises rocking the region until the Benin attempt this month.