In Mali, an army convoy escorting fuel tankers was ambushed Sunday morning on the Kayes–Bamako highway between Lakamané and Kainiera. Militants linked to al-Qaeda’s Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims claimed responsibility, setting several tankers ablaze during the attack.

The Malian army said it responded forcefully and has launched operations to secure the area. Authorities are urging the population to remain vigilant while assuring their commitment to protecting the vital Bamako–Dakar corridor.

The attack comes days after the army reported successfully escorting Senegalese fuel trucks, an effort praised by Mali’s truck drivers’ union. With more than 800 billion CFA francs of Senegalese exports transiting through Mali in 2024, the Kayes–Bamako route remains a crucial economic lifeline for both countries.