Suspected jihadists from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) ambushed a large fuel convoy in western Mali's Kayes Region on Thursday, setting dozens of tankers ablaze and dealing a fresh blow to the country's already strained energy supply lines.
The attack targeted the vital highway connecting the Senegalese border town of Diboli to the city of Kayes, a key import corridor for fuel entering landlocked Mali from Senegal.
The convoy was traveling under military escort when it came under heavy assault.Local officials and sources confirmed that dozens of fuel tankers were destroyed, with flames engulfing vehicles along the roadside.
Casualties included at least three Malian soldiers killed in the clash, along with four attackers.
Two civilian bodies were later discovered near the attack site, and several soldiers from the escort remain unaccounted for as searches continue.
JNIM claimed responsibility for ambushing Malian forces between Diboli and Kayes, though the group did not explicitly mention the fuel tankers in its announcement.
An official from the Malian Office of Petroleum Products stated that current national fuel stocks remain sufficient and there will be no immediate disruption to availability.
However, security analysts caution that repeated strikes on supply convoys could exacerbate shortages, particularly as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches in less than three weeks.
The incident follows the transitional government's recent introduction of fuel-rationing measures to combat hoarding and black-market activity.
Under the new rules, private vehicles are limited to refueling once every 72 hours, while motorcycles may refuel once every 48 hours.
Kayes holds strategic importance as Mali's gateway for imports from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, while also supporting significant mining operations.
Since September 2025, JNIM has pursued an economic blockade strategy in southern and western Mali, repeatedly targeting transport routes and logistics to pressure the military-led authorities in Bamako.
Although reinforced military escorts had temporarily eased disruptions late last year, attacks resumed in early January, once again threatening fuel flows to the capital and other urban centers.
Security officials indicated that operations are underway to strengthen convoy protections, locate missing personnel, and stabilize distribution networks to prevent further economic strain.
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