France urges citizens to leave and warns against travel
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- France has urged its citizens to leave Mali "as soon as possible" following coordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants, describing the security situation as "extremely volatile."
- The weekend attacks included explosions and gunfire across Mali, with the killing of defence leader Sadio Camara in Kati and separatist forces taking control of the northern city of Kidal.
- Mali's military leader, Gen Assimi Goïta, stated the army had dealt a "violent blow" to the attackers and that operations were ongoing, while the Tuareg separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) vowed to continue their campaign to take control of northern towns.
- France, the UK, and the US have all advised their citizens to avoid travel to Mali and to leave if already in the country, citing unpredictable and dangerous security conditions, with travel restrictions and warnings about land routes to neighboring countries.
- Mali is currently governed by a military junta led by Goïta, which has enlisted Russian mercenaries to combat armed groups after UN peacekeepers and French forces withdrew post-coup.
