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There is growing worry that Al-Qaeda could be taking over Mali a nation in Africa that has been plagued by terrorist violence and blockades for a long time. After the fall of Malis civilian government rebels tried to run the government with support from both Russia and China but were unsuccessful. In the meantime Al-Qaeda terrorists have taken the opportunity to surround the capital Bamako and have blocked fuel supplies to Bamako. According to the NavBharat Times Hindi report analysts are worried about Al-Qaeda potentially gaining control of Bamako which would effectively put the entire country of Mali under Al-Qaeda control. Why are the US Italy and Germany concerned about the situation? Several nations have released travel advisories urging citizens not to go to Mali as things deteriorate. The U.S. U.K. France Italy Germany and Australia have all advised their citizens to leave Mali immediately. On Wednesday Italy’s Foreign Ministry said “Italian nationals already in Mali are urged to leave the country as soon as possible.” The U.S. issued a similar warning for citizens on Tuesday and Germany and Australia have also called for their citizens to evacuate. When did the attacks and fuel blockades begin? Mali located in West Africa is a landlocked country bordered by Algeria Niger Burkina Faso Côte d’Ivoire Guinea Senegal and Mauritania. In September a terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen announced a fuel blockade. Since then Mali has been engulfed in an unprecedented crisis. Who is leading Mali’s military response to the crisis? JNIM which governs many rural regions imposed the blockade on September 3 in response to fuel sales in rural regions imposed by the military government. The group has not only enforced the fuel blockade in Malis two towns near the Senegalese border Kayes and Nioro but it also obstructs convoys that attempt to bring fuel to the capital Bamako. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Several nations have released travel advisories urging citizens not to go to Mali as things deteriorate. The U.S. U.K. France Italy Germany and Australia have all advised their citizens to leave Mali immediately. JNIM leader Abou Houzeifa Al Bambar stated in a video on social media We will not let even a single drop of fuel in. Mali located in West Africa is a landlocked country bordered by Algeria Niger Burkina Faso Côte d’Ivoire Guinea Senegal and Mauritania. Africa Security Analysis reported that JNIM is illustrating its capacity to control cross-border movement and cut off critical supply routes for Mali’s military operations by closing these routes. JNIM leader Abou Houzeifa Al Bambar stated in a video on social media We will not let even a single drop of fuel in. Additionally following on September 14 JNIM staged several attacks on convoys transporting fuel across the Senegal-Mali border towards western Mali which has caused a nationwide fuel shortage.
