France calls on nationals to leave Mali ‘as soon as possible’

In this photo taken on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, an aerial view of Gao airport in Mali, where French soldiers have massive presence. (AP)

• West Africa’s Al-Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group hit Mali’s main army ‌base

PARIS: ‌France has urged its nationals in Mali to leave “as ​soon as possible” following coordinated attacks at the weekend, including in the capital Bamako, a travel advice update for the West African ‌country said.
The security ‌situation ​remains ‌volatile ⁠and ​pending their departure, French ⁠citizens should stay at home, limit movement and follow instructions from local authorities while keeping relatives informed, the ⁠French foreign ministry ‌said. ‌All travel to Mali ​is strongly ‌discouraged, the update ‌said.
West Africa’s Al-Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group hit Mali’s main army ‌base and the area near Bamako’s airport in ⁠the ⁠attacks on Saturday, while also pushing Russian troops supporting government forces out of the strategic town of Kidal in the north.
The leader of Mali’s military government vowed on ​Tuesday ​to “neutralize” those responsible.