What next for Mali's junta after shock of rebel offensive?

"Its success or otherwise will determine the longevity of the junta."

— Beverly Ochieng , Academic

"The situation was under control and vowing to 'neutralise' those responsible for the attacks."

— Col Assimi Goïta , Politician

"We want to take control of Gao city. All of Gao's gates have fallen, but the camps of the army have not."

— Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane , Activist

"Military operations will continue until the armed groups involved have been completely neutralized and security has been sustainably restored throughout the country."

— Assimi Goita , Politician

"These attacks are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader destabilization campaign devised and carried out by armed terrorist groups and their internal and external sponsors, who provide them with intelligence and logistical support."

— Assimi Goita , Politician

"Kidal is declared free."

— Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadan , Activist

"The operation is being carried out in partnership with the JNIM, which is also committed to defending the people against the military regime in Bamako."

— Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadan , Activist

"The fact that the Malian military intelligence has not been able to detect that these attacks were about to take place is a major failure for them."

— Nina Wilen , Academic

"Remarkably, there has been a coordination between jihadis and Tuareg rebels, which have nothing in common, but they have a joint enemy."

— Ulf Laessing , Academic

"There are very strong bridges between them. They're all from the same tribal backgrounds."

— Djallil Lounnas , Academic