France has urged its citizens to leave Mali “as soon as possible”, after a weekend of co-ordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants.
In an update on Wednesday, the advice also warned French citizens not to travel to the West African nation, describing the situation as “extremely volatile”.
Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported across the country, including the capital, Bamako on Saturday. In Kati, the defence leader Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide bombing by militants, while in the north, separatist forces have taken control of the city of Kidal.
Mali’s military leader Gen Assimi Goïta said the security situation in the country was under control.
Speaking in public for the first time on Tuesday evening, he said the army had dealt a “violent blow” to the attackers, and signalled operations were still ongoing.
The foreign ministry of France, Mali’s former colonial power, said: “French nationals are advised to make arrangements to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible on the commercial flights that are still available.”
Pending their departure, they should stay at home, limit their movements and follow instructions from local authorities, it said, adding that they should also keep their relatives informed.