How al-Qaida-linked jihadist group JNIM is bringing Mali to its knees

"Armed groups of JNIM fighters have blocked key routes used by fuel tankers, disrupting supply lines to the capital Bamako and other regions across Mali. The al-Qaida-linked jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) is gradually converging on Mali's capital, Bamako, with increasing attacks in recent weeks, including on army-backed convoys. Should the city fall, the west African country would be on its way to becoming an Islamist republic with strict interpretations of sharia law."

"That would fulfil a jihadist mandate following in the steps of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan or Syria, where the former rebel Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, is now head of state. In areas under its control, JNIM is already enforcing dress codes and punishments via courts that, as Human Rights Watch noted in a 2024 report, did not adhere to fair trial standards."

"On Tuesday the US state department issued its second advisory in a week to its citizens in Mali, urging all US citizens to depart immediately using commercial aviation, citing infrastructural problems and the unpredictability of Bamako's [the capital] security situation. On Wednesday, Australia, Germany and Italy also urged their citizens to leave as soon as possible. Observers within and outside Mali say things could escalate faster"

JNIM fighters have blocked fuel tanker routes, disrupting supply lines to Bamako and other regions and mounting increasing attacks, including on army-backed convoys. The group is gradually converging on Bamako, raising the prospect of the capital falling and the country becoming an Islamist republic under strict sharia. JNIM already enforces dress codes and punishments through courts criticized by Human Rights Watch for failing fair trial standards. Several governments, including the US, Australia, Germany and Italy, have advised citizens to leave Mali immediately. Observers warn of rapid escalation and a heightened risk of another coup and regional domino effects across the Sahel.

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