Description: With sporadic fighting continuing across the country, JNIM and FLA fighters have extended their offensive into Mali’s northeastern city of Tessalit which was captured by the FLA, while JNIM claimed an attack was also conducted on several military outposts in northern Burkina Faso. JNIM publicly called on Mali’s civilian population to rise against the military junta as the Al Qaeda linked militants also stated that Sharia law would be imposed in JNIM – controlled territories. Bamako and Segou experienced wide – scale blockades as JNIM and FLA fighters raised checkpoints, restricting access, limiting trade and population movement.
Impact: JNIM’s attacks in Burkina Faso are likely demonstrating the group’s operational outreach and bolster their foothold in Malian controlled territories. The blockades imposed on the capital Bamako and Segou are likely a method to provoke outrage by the civilian population against the military junta which has so far struggled to maintain control over larger parts of the country. The capture of Tessalit by the FLA likely indicates continued coordination with JNIM as the military offensive continues to expand northward. Mali’s military backed by Russia’s Africa Corps have experienced a string of military defeats across the country which likely signals that they are outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the terrorists. The crisis would likely expand across the region into neighboring countries while the blockades would continue to plunder the devastated national economy and would likely be reflected through refugee waves or civic unrest in some areas, providing JNIM and FLA with fertile grounds for recruitment.