A group of Malian soldiers has reportedly mutinied outside the capital Bamako, following weeks of anti-government protests calling for the president to resign.
The Norwegian embassy has warned its citizens to shelter in place until the situation is resolved.
It remains unclear how much of the military has mutinied, though an unnamed security source cited by Reuters merely stated: “Yes, mutiny. The military has taken up arms.”
“The embassy has been notified of mutiny in the Armed Forces and troops are on their way to Bamako. Norwegians should exercise caution and preferably stay at home until the situation is clear,” the Norwegian embassy said in an alert to its citizens.
There have been several reports of gunfire at a base in Kati, near the capital Bamako, which was the initial launch site of a 2012 coup d’etat.
There has been no official confirmation of who was firing at whom.
At least 14 people have been killed in the recent anti-government protests calling for the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
There are growing concerns that any unrest could spur a new offensive from jihadist militants operating in the area, who have claimed the northern region of the country as their own in recent years.
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