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U.S. Tells Americans to Leave Mali as Jihadist Fuel Blockade Shuts Schools

A U.S. Embassy departure advisory underscores a militant fuel blockade that is crippling travel.

Overview

  • The U.S. Embassy in Bamako urged Americans to depart on commercial flights, citing terrorism threats and a severe fuel shortage linked to a JNIM blockade.
  • Officials warned that overland routes are unsafe due to attacks on highways, issuing a second security alert in three days.
  • Mali closed schools and universities nationwide for two weeks, with authorities targeting a November 10 resumption if fuel supplies improve.
  • The government prioritized fuel for emergency, assistance, and public transport services as long queues and price spikes spread across Bamako.
  • JNIM declared the fuel-import ban in early September, attacking convoys and burning more than 100 trucks, while Russia has signaled a shipment of 160,000–200,000 tons of petroleum and agricultural products without a stated timeline.