Mali Blockaded, Stranded Travelers Desperate

0:00On April 30, Islamist militants from Jamahat, Nusrat, out Islam-Wal Muslim have tightened a blockade around Mali's capital Bamako, home to over three million people. This comes days after the Defense Minister's assassination in the city. Major roads into Bamako are blocked, stranding families, trucks, and buses on highways like the one to Kenyeba. Earlier this week, the group warned no one else could enter the city, escalating from last year's fuel shortages that spiked prices. I win this to say at least three of the six main routes close for hours at a time, with fighters moving on before some vehicles slip through slowly. Stranded travelers are desperate, with mothers unable to return home and lower drivers fearing for their lives after years on the road. A similar blockade hits the nearby town of Segu, leaving hundreds without easy access to food or water for days. As weekends nationwide attacks by Jihadists, allied with northern separatists, forced Russian-African court troops to pull back from Kadal, now under, rebel control.

1:03The Kremlin insists they'll state a fight extremism and back the government, while Hunter Leader General Aseemiguita claims his forces inflicted heavy losses on the insurgents. Experts call the regime weak amid decade-long battles, echoing the 2013 push toward Bamako that drew French intervention. More nations urge citizens to leave, though some long-time residents plan to stay, betting on better days ahead. Stay informed with Global News, AI-powered updates. I'm Corey with The Story.