Buses burned near Bamako as jihadist blockade tightens in Mali

Buses torched near Bamako as jihadist blockade tightens in Mali

Armed assailants set fire to multiple passenger buses on May 16 near Bamako, escalating tensions in a region already gripped by a worsening security crisis. Since late April, jihadist factions linked to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM)—an Al-Qaeda affiliate—have enforced a road blockade around the Malian capital, crippling essential supply routes.

Burned buses on a road near Bamako as jihadists tighten blockade

A convoy of transport vehicles traveling through the Faya classified forest area—along the Bamako-Ségou corridor—came under attack on Saturday, May 16. Witnesses reported that armed men forced passengers from the buses before setting the vehicles ablaze.

Multiple injuries reported

Gunfire erupted as some drivers hesitated to comply with the attackers’ demands. Several individuals sustained injuries, and at least seven buses were reduced to smoldering wrecks.

Jihadist blockade chokes Bamako’s lifelines

The blockade, enforced by JNIM-aligned groups since April 30, has severed critical road arteries into the capital. This aggressive posture follows a wave of coordinated assaults across Mali late last month, further destabilizing an already fragile security landscape.

Pre-Tabaski shortages deepen amid blockade

With the Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) celebrations approaching, the blockade’s impact on supply chains has intensified. Reports indicate that trucks carrying livestock—particularly sheep—have been targeted and burned in recent weeks, exacerbating shortages and fueling concerns among traders and households alike.