At around 22:00-23:00 local time, MOJWA and Mourabitun fighters began exchanging fire with a group of Malian soldiers patrolling through the streets.

[citation needed] At 7:00, the Islamists got to Independence Square, and the courthouse was burned, as well as a gas station, and the fire spread to the central market where many stalls were destroyed.

MOJWA fighters were hiding in the town hall and nearby buildings, they were positioned on the roofs and windows were equipped with several sniper rifles according to Malian soldiers.

In the morning, at 3:00, the Malian forces surrounded and besieged Islamist positions, they opened fire with heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

[3] The French positioned near the town hall, and the company of VBCI opened fire with all weapons: canon 25mm, AT4, ALI, Eryx.

Elements of the Quick Reaction Force positioned themselves on the terrace of the Regional Assembly of Gao, which adjoins the courthouse.

Along with fighting in the town center, the checkpoint north of the city, defended by soldiers from Niger, was harassed by jihadist groups.