Several towns and a prison have been attacked, according to the military, residents and security sources.
Reports of attacks come from the cities of Gao, Sévaré, Aguelhok and Anéfis, as well as a prison in Kenieroba.
The fighting began early Saturday morning, more than two months after the two groups attacked the ruling junta, killing, among others, the junta's defence minister, Sadio Camara.
Anéfis and Aguelhok are the last places where the Malian army has a presence in the Kidal region, after the major attacks at the end of April.
They were a severe blow to the junta that rules the country after twin coups in 2020 and 2021. The recent coordinated attacks with a wide geographical spread are on a new scale.
In a statement on Saturday, the Malian army claims that "the situation is completely under control."
Ousmane Maiga, a resident of Gao, tells AP that the situation there has calmed down.
But I have heard that the attackers are still in one part of the city, so I am staying indoors with my family, he says.
But Rawani Ahmed Bouya, a senior member of the Tuareg group FLA, says that Anéfis is now controlled by the FLA.
His information has not been independently confirmed.
