Mali: Islamists attack buses and electrical infrastructure
Amid a renewed Islamist blockade on Bamako, militants have set vehicles ablaze and destroyed electrical infrastructure, according to RFI and agencies on May 12th.
Since April 28th, the al-Qaeda affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has implemented a siege on Bamako, cutting off roads connecting the capital to the rest of Mali.
JNIM is behind the fuel blockade Mali has experienced since September 2025; insurgents exploited Mali’s landlocked status and reliance on fuel imports to block supply routes.
At least 12 buses were set ablaze by JNIM between Ségou and Bamako on May 9th and 10th; cars were also burned.
Electrical infrastructure related to the Manantali Dam was destroyed on May 9th; situated in the Kayes region, the infrastructure is vital to Mali’s energy supply, and its destruction may also affect Mauritania and Senegal.
Mali’s Armed Forces (FAMA) have not commented on these incidents, but did indicate it conducted airstrikes “against armed terrorist groups” in Gao on May 9th.
“Security operations” and patrols by FAMA and Russian auxiliary forces have made the blockade not completely impenetrable.
On May 10th, 700 fuel tankers were received in Bamako; petrol is available at stations, although diesel remains in short supply.
Residents have reported power outages lasting between 48 and 72 hours; load shedding has also affected the water supply.
Bamako’s siege came within days of coordinated attacks by JNIM and the Tuareg separatist-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) that began on April 25th.
Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed at his residence in Kati on April 25th; Mali’s junta announced two days of mourning following his death.
FLA fighters recaptured Kidal on April 25th; Kidal is a Tuareg stronghold in northern Mali that authorities regained control of in November 2023.
In an April 26th social media post, an FLA spokesperson said: “We want to drive out the last Russian fighters who have taken refuge in a camp.”
Separatists have waged war against the government since their latest uprising in 2012; they seek to establish an independent state called Azawad in northern Mali.
As of May 12th, the situation in Kidal remains unchanged; the FLA and JNIM have maintained control of Kidal and Tessalit since May 1st, when FAMA and Russian auxiliaries deserted the camps.
The Russian Africa Corps and FAMA are still present in the towns of Aguelhoc and Anefis, which are situated in the Kidal region.
Maghrebi contacted the Malian Prime Minister’s Office for comment regarding the security situation in Bamako, but has not received a response at the time of publication.
RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
