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France issues urgent departure advisory for Mali
Paris has called on its nationals to leave Mali immediately, citing a surge in coordinated attacks by separatist and Islamist militants over the weekend. The foreign ministry described the security environment as "extremely volatile" and warned against all travel to the West African nation.
Weekend attacks target multiple regions
Explosions and gunfire erupted across Mali on Saturday, including in the capital, Bamako. In Kati, a suicide bombing killed Defense Minister Sadio Camara, while separatist forces seized control of Kidal in the north. Clashes also reported in Gao, Timbuktu, Ménaka, Sévaré, and Mopti.
Military leader Gen. Assimi Goïta claimed the army had delivered a "violent blow" to attackers in a Tuesday address, though operations remain ongoing. Meanwhile, the Tuareg separatist group Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) vowed to topple the regime, with spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane telling AFP they plan to capture additional northern cities.
Rebels demand Russian withdrawal
Ramadane, speaking during a Paris visit for talks with French officials, called for Russian forces to leave Mali entirely after their recent pullout from Kidal. Russia has supported the junta against rebel groups, but the FLA insists their presence destabilizes the region.
International warnings escalate
France's foreign ministry urged citizens to depart via available commercial flights and limit movements until then. The UK echoed the advisory, labeling travel to Mali "too dangerous" and warning against overland routes to neighboring countries due to highway attacks. The U.S. embassy advised Americans to shelter in place and avoid active security zones.
"If you choose to remain in Mali, you do so at your own risk. Have an emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government."
UK Foreign Office
Airport remains operational amid uncertainty
Bamako International Airport is open, but travelers are cautioned to check for delays or cancellations. The junta, which seized power in a 2020 coup, initially promised to restore security but has struggled to contain the insurgency, which now controls large swaths of the north and east.
Jihadist group JNIM and the FLA launched simultaneous attacks, with JNIM targeting multiple locations while the FLA focused on Tuareg-claimed territories. The junta's reliance on Russian mercenaries has drawn criticism amid ongoing instability.
