Bamako: France has asked its citizens to leave Mali as soon as possible after a sharp rise in violence and coordinated attacks across the country raised serious security concerns.
The warning came after armed groups launched large scale attacks in several areas, including near the capital Bamako and key military positions. The attacks, which began in recent days, are seen as one of the most significant escalations in the country in years.
The situation has alarmed foreign governments, with France saying the risks to civilians have increased and the security environment has become highly unpredictable.
Mali’s military leader Assimi Goita addressed the nation following the attacks and said the situation was under control. He promised that the armed forces would respond firmly and restore order.
Soon after, Goita held talks with Russia’s ambassador, highlighting Mali’s growing reliance on Moscow for military and security support. Russian forces operating in the country have also been affected, with reports of casualties during the recent clashes.
The attacks were reportedly carried out by a combination of jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and separatist fighters. These groups managed to strike multiple locations at the same time, showing a high level of coordination.
In a major blow to the government, senior military leadership was affected and key northern areas, including the strategic city of Kidal, fell under the control of armed groups. This has raised concerns about the government’s ability to maintain control over large parts of the country.
The latest violence has also renewed fears of instability spreading across the wider Sahel region, where several countries are already struggling with similar threats.
Mali has moved away from its earlier partnerships with Western countries and now depends more on Russian support. However, the recent attacks have raised questions about whether this strategy is enough to bring stability.
As the situation remains tense, many civilians are facing uncertainty, and international concern continues to grow over the country’s future.