A deadly assault on fuel tankers in western Mali has left at least 15 people dead, with authorities attributing the attack to jihadist militants. The incident occurred on Thursday along a primary road connecting the Senegalese border to the city of Kayes, where dozens of tankers were set ablaze, according to local officials cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The assault follows a months-long campaign by jihadist groups to blockade fuel supplies into Mali, a strategy intended to cripple the national economy. While the blockade had shown signs of easing in recent weeks—improving fuel availability particularly in the capital, Bamako—the Thursday attack represents the most lethal strike of its kind since early December, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of disruptions.
The Al-Qaeda-linked group known as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for an ambush against Malian forces in the area. In its statement, the group did not explicitly mention the fuel tankers. JNIM has repeatedly targeted fuel convoys since September as part of its broader economic warfare strategy, exploiting Mali’s heavy reliance on imported fuel transported via neighboring countries.
This attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing Mali’s government and its international partners. The Sahel region, where Mali is located, remains a hotspot for jihadist insurgencies that frequently target infrastructure and economic lifelines. The recent, albeit temporary, improvement in fuel flows suggested that countermeasures—including military escorts and diplomatic efforts with transit nations—might have been gaining traction. Thursday’s events, however, demonstrate the vulnerability of supply chains and the capacity of armed groups to launch devastating attacks even when operational tempo appears to slow.
The violence threatens to reverse tentative progress in stabilizing Mali’s economy, which depends on fuel for electricity, transportation, and commerce. Shortages have previously led to soaring prices and public discontent. With JNIM and other militant factions vying for control and influence, the blockade tactic serves both as a revenue source through extortion and a potent tool to undermine state authority.
The Malian authorities, currently operating under a transitional government following a 2021 coup, face the dual pressure of securing vast, rural road networks while addressing a complex humanitarian and economic crisis. International forces, including a United Nations mission that concluded its mandate in 2022 and regional defense partnerships, have struggled to contain the insurgency’s reach.
As investigations continue, the attack reaffirms the jihadists’ strategic focus on economic targets. The resumption of major convoy raids suggests that the blockade could enter a new, more violent phase, potentially deepening Mali’s isolation and straining relations with neighboring Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, key transit corridors for imported fuel. The incident highlights the fragile state of security in West Africa’s Sahel and the persistent threat to critical infrastructure.
