Al-Qaida-Linked Fighters Tighten Bamako Blockade, Kill 30 in Mopti

Bamako Under Blockade

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaida affiliate known as JNIM, has imposed a blockade on Bamako, the capital of Mali, since April 28, 2026, Al Jazeera reported. The Malian capital is home to roughly 4 million people, making the disruption of supply routes a major humanitarian and economic concern.

JNIM fighters have targeted highways linking Bamako to other cities. On May 6, the group's fighters burned several trucks on the Bougouni-Bamako route, while the road connecting Bamako with Sikasso also fell under JNIM control, according to compiled reporting.

Attacks in Mopti Region

At least 30 people were killed in JNIM attacks on the villages of Korikori and Gomossogou in Mali's central Mopti region, Al Jazeera reported on May 7. Democracy Now also reported on the village attacks as part of a wider pattern of violence in central Mali, where JNIM has targeted civilians, security forces and transport infrastructure.

Government Officials Targeted

Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in earlier attacks on Kati and Bamako on April 25, 2026, while intelligence chief Modibo Kone was wounded in the same wave of operations. The April 25 attacks shook Mali's security establishment and set the stage for the subsequent blockade.

No Dialogue, Bamako Says

On May 8, 2026, Mali's foreign minister stated that Bamako rules out "any dialogue with lawless armed terrorist groups," according to local outlet Pravda Mali. The remarks signaled that Mali's military government intends to confront JNIM through force rather than political accommodation.

With major highways disrupted, fuel and food deliveries to the capital strained and senior officials targeted, Mali enters May 2026 facing one of the most severe security crises in its recent history.