Overview
- The Malian army says it hit a major JNIM site near Sirakoro used to plan attacks on fuel convoys, claiming to have killed more than a dozen fighters and to have destroyed or recovered equipment.
- JNIM has intensified arson and ambushes on tanker routes from Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, driving nationwide fuel shortages that disrupt transport, power supply and the harvest.
- The ruling authorities canceled classes at schools and universities for two weeks because of the fuel crisis.
- After urging citizens to leave and withdrawing non‑essential staff, the United States signaled warmer ties as Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau publicly commended Mali’s forces and hinted at deeper cooperation.
- Talks with intermediaries have not eased the blockade, and reports by RFI and France 24 say three foreign hostages were freed on Oct. 29 following a large ransom with additional equipment transfers and a prisoner exchange.