Mali's army said on Tuesday that the capital, Bamako, was under control after "terrorists" attacked a gendarmerie training school, firing gunshots that resonated across the city before dawn.

"Early this morning, a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Faladie gendarmerie school. Mopping-up operations are currently underway throughout the area," it said in a statement.

It called on residents to avoid the area and await further official communications.