In a crackdown on terrorists, Mali's army said it had carried out operations in the gold-rich western region of Kayes. This included airstrikes in Diema and Nioro. Mali soldiers have also managed to free people taken hostage by the terrorists. The attacks came after al Qaeda-linked terrorists tried to block fuel imports to the capital, Bamako. Terror group JNIM announced the blockade last week, adding that it would restrict the movement of Kayes and Nioro residents. Since the announcement, the terrorists had been reportedly stopping and emptying fuel trucks. The terror ambush forced some transport companies to suspend operations along the route from Bamako to Senegal's capital, Dakar. The latest operations by Mali’s military rulers are an attempt to ease pressure from these terror groups amid increased attacks.
