Armed men ambushed a transport convoy on the Bamako-Ségou route, forcing passengers to exit before setting fire to multiple vehicles. Witnesses reported sporadic gunfire when drivers hesitated to comply with the attackers’ demands.

Casualties confirmed

Emergency responders confirmed several injuries resulting from the confrontation, with at least seven buses reduced to smoldering wreckage. The attack follows a pattern of escalating violence in the region.

Months-long siege tightens

Since April 30, armed groups linked to the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, have systematically blocked key highways leading to Bamako. This campaign coincides with a surge in coordinated militant offensives across the country.

Economic strain ahead of Tabaski

The blockade has severely disrupted supply chains to the capital, particularly livestock transport ahead of Tabaski celebrations. Reports indicate multiple trucks carrying sacrificial animals were recently burned, exacerbating shortages and fueling trader concerns.