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Mali freed more than 100 suspected jihadists as part of a deal with the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) to halt <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/us-urges-americans-to-leave-mali-amid-jihadist-blockades">attacks on fuel convoys</a> that had paralyzed the capital, Bamako.

TV5 Monde Info

Mali freed more than 100 suspected jihadists as part of a deal with the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) to halt attacks on fuel convoys that had paralyzed the capital, Bamako.

JNIM began targeting fuel tankers in September 2024, intercepting convoys arriving from Ivory Coast and Senegal. The blockade caused acute fuel shortages and forced Mali to close schools from late October to mid-November.

JNIM began targeting fuel tankers in September 2024, intercepting convoys arriving from Ivory Coast and Senegal. The blockade caused acute fuel shortages and forced Mali to close schools from late October to mid-November.

A local official said the detainees were released in exchange for "the opening of a corridor" for fuel convoys. A Malian security source added that "expansion measures" had been taken in the context of "peace and national unity," without providing further details.

A local official said the detainees were released in exchange for "the opening of a corridor" for fuel convoys. A Malian security source added that "expansion measures" had been taken in the context of "peace and national unity," without providing further details.

Security sources said the agreement is expected to remain in place until the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) at the end of May. Individuals from the Fulani ethnic group, who are often suspected of links to jihadist groups, were also among those released.

Security sources said the agreement is expected to remain in place until the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha (Tabaski) at the end of May. Individuals from the Fulani ethnic group, who are often suspected of links to jihadist groups, were also among those released.

Analysts warn that JNIM’s blockade strategy aims to undermine the legitimacy of Mali’s military government and could trigger a regional domino effect. More than 70% of the country is estimated to be controlled or contested by armed groups.

Al Arabiya English

Analysts warn that JNIM’s blockade strategy aims to undermine the legitimacy of Mali’s military government and could trigger a regional domino effect. More than 70% of the country is estimated to be controlled or contested by armed groups.

France, the U.S. and the U.K. urged citizens to leave Mali amid the security crisis, with France citing "terrorist groups" targeting main roads. The U.S. has since pursued <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/us-nears-deal-with-mali-to-resume-drone-surveillance">renewed security and trade cooperation</a> with Mali's military government.

France, the U.S. and the U.K. urged citizens to leave Mali amid the security crisis, with France citing "terrorist groups" targeting main roads. The U.S. has since pursued renewed security and trade cooperation with Mali's military government.

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Mali freed more than 100 suspected jihadists as part of a deal with the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) to halt attacks on fuel convoys that had paralyzed the capital, Bamako.

A local official confirmed the release of detainees was made "in exchange for the opening of a corridor" for fuel convoys. A Malian security source said "expansion measures have been taken" under "the context of peace and national unity."

A local official confirmed the release of detainees was made "in exchange for the opening of a corridor" for fuel convoys. A Malian security source said "expansion measures have been taken" under "the context of peace and national unity."

Security sources told AFP the truce is expected to hold until the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, known as Tabaski, at the end of May. Members of the Fulani ethnic group, often associated with jihadists, were also among those released.

Security sources told AFP the truce is expected to hold until the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, known as Tabaski, at the end of May. Members of the Fulani ethnic group, often associated with jihadists, were also among those released.

Analysts have warned that JNIM's blockade strategy is designed to undermine the legitimacy of Mali's military government. More than 70% of Mali is estimated to be either controlled or contested by armed groups.

Analysts have warned that JNIM's blockade strategy is designed to undermine the legitimacy of Mali's military government. More than 70% of Mali is estimated to be either controlled or contested by armed groups.

France, the U.S. and the U.K. urged citizens to leave Mali amid the security crisis, with France citing "terrorist groups" targeting main roads. The U.S. has since pursued renewed security and trade cooperation with Mali's military government.

Mali frees 100 jihadists, and that capitulation shows just how close JNIM is to strangling Bamako into submission. The fuel blockade isn't just economic warfare — it's a slow-motion state collapse that could hand al-Qaeda its first national government, turning Mali into Africa's Afghanistan. With over 70% of the country already controlled or contested by terrorists, the domino effect across Burkina Faso and Niger isn't a distant fear — it's the next logical step.

Mali frees 100 jihadists, and that capitulation shows just how close JNIM is to strangling Bamako into submission. The fuel blockade isn't just economic warfare — it's a slow-motion state collapse that could hand al-Qaeda its first national government, turning Mali into Africa's Afghanistan. With over 70% of the country already controlled or contested by terrorists, the domino effect across Burkina Faso and Niger isn't a distant fear — it's the next logical step.

Mali frees 100 jihadists, but framing this as pure junta weakness ignores that Western and French failures created this vacuum in the first place. Russia's limitations are real, yet Turkey's drone partnerships and a potential Mali-Senegal-Mauritania counterterrorism alliance offer a sovereign path forward that doesn't rely on the same colonial powers whose Operation Barkhane only let JNIM expand. Ditching Western paternalism for multipolar security cooperation isn't failure — it's a necessary reset.

Mali frees 100 jihadists, but framing this as pure junta weakness ignores that Western and French failures created this vacuum in the first place. Russia's limitations are real, yet Turkey's drone partnerships and a potential Mali-Senegal-Mauritania counterterrorism alliance offer a sovereign path forward that doesn't rely on the same colonial powers whose Operation Barkhane only let JNIM expand. Ditching Western paternalism for multipolar security cooperation isn't failure — it's a necessary reset.

West Africa: Coups, Jihadism and Geopolitical Competition

Mali Frees 100 Jihadists to End Fuel Convoy Blockade

Mali

Other conflict

Mali’s release of 100 jihadists signals a dangerous capitulation, underscoring how close JNIM is to strangling Bamako into submission. The fuel blockade isn’t just economic warfare — it points to a slow-motion state collapse that could hand al-Qaeda its first national foothold, turning Mali into Africa’s Afghanistan. With over 70% of the country already controlled or contested by militants, the domino effect across Burkina Faso and Niger is no distant fear — it is an increasingly likely next step.

Mali’s release of 100 jihadists signals a dangerous capitulation, underscoring how close JNIM is to strangling Bamako into submission. The fuel blockade isn’t just economic warfare — it points to a slow-motion state collapse that could hand al-Qaeda its first national foothold, turning Mali into Africa’s Afghanistan. With over 70% of the country already controlled or contested by militants, the domino effect across Burkina Faso and Niger is no distant fear — it is an increasingly likely next step.

Mali freeing 100 jihadists is not simply a sign of junta weakness but reflects a vacuum shaped by years of Western and French policy failures. Russia’s limitations are evident, yet Turkey’s drone partnerships and a potential Mali–Senegal–Mauritania counterterrorism alignment point to a more sovereign path forward — one that moves beyond the same colonial-era actors whose Operation Barkhane coincided with JNIM’s expansion. Shifting toward multipolar security cooperation is not failure, but a strategic reset.

Mali freeing 100 jihadists is not simply a sign of junta weakness but reflects a vacuum shaped by years of Western and French policy failures. Russia’s limitations are evident, yet Turkey’s drone partnerships and a potential Mali–Senegal–Mauritania counterterrorism alignment point to a more sovereign path forward — one that moves beyond the same colonial-era actors whose Operation Barkhane coincided with JNIM’s expansion. Shifting toward multipolar security cooperation is not failure, but a strategic reset.

There is a 63 percent chance that Mali will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 63 percent chance that Mali will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Mali Frees 100 Jihadists to End Fuel Convoy Blockade

Mali Frees 100 Jihadists to End Fuel Convoy Blockade

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Mali Frees 100 Jihadists to End Fuel Convoy Blockade

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