Armed assailants set fire to multiple buses on Saturday, May 16, along the Faya classified forest stretch of the Bamako-Ségou highway. Witnesses reported that gunmen forced passengers out of the vehicles before igniting the transports, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Casualties reported amid violent assault
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as gunfire erupted when some drivers hesitated to comply with the attackers’ demands. At least seven buses were reduced to ashes, while several individuals sustained injuries during the ordeal.
Jihadist blockade escalates around Bamako
Since April 30, armed groups linked to the JNIM, an Al-Qaïda affiliate, have enforced a crippling road blockade around Mali’s capital. This intensified pressure follows coordinated attacks across the country late last month.
Economic strain mounts ahead of Tabaski
The prolonged blockade has severely disrupted supply lines to Bamako, particularly livestock shipments ahead of the Tabaski festival. Recent weeks have seen additional trucks carrying sheep torched, deepening shortages and stoking concerns among traders.
