The United States has issued an urgent call for all American citizens in Mali to leave the country immediately, sounding the alarm over escalating threats from al Qaeda-linked insurgents and a crippling fuel blockade that has paralyzed daily life. This unprecedented warning, delivered on October 28, 2025, comes as the landlocked West African nation grapples with a growing security crisis and severe disruptions to essential services, including fuel, education, and transportation.
According to Reuters, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako advised Americans to depart using commercial aviation, emphasizing that overland routes to neighboring countries may not be safe due to the risk of terrorist attacks along national highways. "U.S. citizens should depart using commercial aviation, as overland routes to neighboring countries may not be safe for travel due to terrorist attacks along national highways," the embassy stated on its website. The warning marks the embassy’s second alert in just three days, following an October 25 notice that cited crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other threats as reasons to avoid Mali altogether.
The immediate trigger for this heightened alert is a blockade imposed by the militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which is affiliated with al Qaeda. Beginning in early September 2025, JNIM announced it was targeting fuel tankers entering Mali, particularly those coming from Senegal and Ivory Coast—key transit routes for the majority of Mali’s imported goods. Fighters have since set more than 100 trucks ablaze, paralyzing the country’s fuel supply and making daily existence increasingly fraught with uncertainty. According to FRANCE 24, the group appears intent on isolating the capital, Bamako, by ramping up attacks on the roads surrounding the city.
The consequences of this blockade have been swift and severe. The Malian government, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, suspended classes for all schools and universities nationwide for two weeks starting around October 26, 2025. Public institutions have shuttered their doors, and gasoline and diesel supplies have become scarce, with long lines at the few stations still open. The U.S. Embassy underscored the "continued disruptions of gasoline and diesel supplies, the closure of public institutions such as schools and universities nationwide, and ongoing armed conflict between the Malian government and terrorist elements around Bamako."
For Americans still in Mali, the embassy’s message is stark: prepare for emergencies and have a plan to shelter in place if necessary. "Those choosing to remain should have plans for sheltering in place," the embassy cautioned. The State Department has also authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and their families, reflecting the seriousness of the threat. The travel advisory for Mali remains at level 4—the highest possible—signifying "do not travel."
As reported by The Independent, this crisis is not unfolding in a vacuum. Mali has endured a decade-long security emergency fueled by jihadist violence linked to both al Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as criminal networks and armed gangs. The country’s political instability has only deepened following coups in 2020 and 2021, leaving a military junta in control and struggling to contain the insurgency. Despite military escorts, fuel convoys have had limited success in reaching Bamako. Many have been set on fire, and drivers and soldiers have been killed or kidnapped in jihadist ambushes, according to FRANCE 24.
For those considering travel to Mali, the embassy’s warning could not be clearer: avoid the country entirely. The embassy itself is unable to provide emergency services or support to U.S. citizens outside the capital. "American citizens are advised to: Avoid any areas of public demonstrations; Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; Continue to exercise vigilance while in Mali; Exercise caution if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests; Review your personal security plans; Keep a low profile; Be aware of your surroundings; Keep some form of communication with you; Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible; Develop plans to gather supplies for sheltering in a secure place; Review your personal security plans; and prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations," the embassy advised, as reported by The Economic Times.
The broader context is equally sobering. JNIM, the group behind the blockade, is just one of several armed organizations operating in the Sahel—a vast, semi-arid region stretching from North to West Africa. The insurgency has been spreading rapidly, with large-scale attacks becoming increasingly common. Analysts, as cited by Reuters, describe the fuel blockade as part of a broader pressure campaign against Mali’s military-led government, aiming to cut off the country’s economic lifelines and force political concessions.
Despite these dire circumstances, the international airport in Bamako remains open, and commercial flights are still available for those able to leave. The embassy has reiterated that this is the safest and most reliable way out, given the unpredictability and dangers of traveling by road. "The international airport in Bamako remains open and flights are available. U.S. citizens should depart using commercial aviation, as overland routes to neighboring countries may not be safe for travel due to terrorist attacks along national highways," the embassy said, as reported by The Economic Times.
Meanwhile, Mali’s government faces mounting challenges on multiple fronts. The fuel shortage has not only crippled transportation and education but has also threatened to further destabilize a nation already reeling from years of conflict and political upheaval. The junta’s struggle to regain control of the situation is increasingly visible, as essential services falter and public confidence wanes.
For the United States, the immediate priority remains the safety of its citizens. The State Department’s authorization for non-emergency personnel and their families to leave the country, and the rare level 4 travel advisory, underscore just how seriously U.S. officials view the risks. The embassy continues to monitor the situation closely, urging vigilance and preparedness among those who remain.
As Mali’s crisis deepens, the fate of its people—and the foreign nationals still inside its borders—hangs in the balance. The fuel blockade and ongoing insurgency have exposed the country’s vulnerabilities, raising urgent questions about the future of security and governance in this troubled corner of West Africa. For now, the message from the U.S. government is unambiguous: get out while you still can.
