The U.S. Embassy in Mali has urged all American citizens to leave the country immediately using available commercial flights, warning of a deteriorating security environment.
In a statement, the embassy said armed clashes have erupted in the capital Bamako between government forces and armed groups, alongside fuel shortages and the closure of educational institutions.
The advisory also warned against overland travel to neighboring countries due to unsafe roads, and recommended emergency preparedness measures, including stockpiling essential supplies and keeping travel documents ready.
The embassy noted that its emergency services are limited outside Bamako.
The alert follows the U.S. State Department’s recent upgrade of its travel warning for Mali to Level 4 — “Do Not Travel”, the highest advisory level. Turkey has issued a similar warning to its citizens amid escalating instability in the country.
