The US embassy in Mali has issued an urgent warning to American citizens, advising them to “depart immediately using commercial aviation” due to the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The embassy cited the unpredictability of Bamako’s security situation, ongoing armed conflict between the Malian government and terrorist elements, and disruptions to gasoline and diesel supplies.
A fuel blockade imposed by al-Qaeda-linked fighters, specifically the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) group, has severely impacted Mali’s fuel supplies, leading to shortages and disruptions to essential services.
The blockade has resulted in the closure of schools and universities nationwide, with classes suspended for two weeks.
JNIM has targeted fuel tankers, setting over 100 trucks on fire and killing or kidnapping drivers and soldiers in ambushes.
The US State Department had previously authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members of US government employees due to safety risks.
The embassy emphasized that overland routes to neighboring countries may not be safe for travel due to terrorist attacks along national highways, but the international airport in Bamako remains open.
Mali has been battling a security crisis for over a decade, fueled by violence from jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The country’s military junta, which seized power in 2020, has struggled to counter the armed groups.
Despite military escorts, fuel tankers have had limited success in reaching Bamako, exacerbating the fuel shortage and its impact on daily life.
