Jihadists from the Al Qaeda-affiliated group JNIM announced a total siege of the Malian capital on Tuesday. At least five towns in the country's north have fallen to the attackers. 'The situation is under control,' President Assimi Goita said.

Rebel-jihadist offensive leaves Bamako on edge as territory falls and junta leader Assimi Goita remains out of sight.

Several cities in Mali were attacked by militants associated with al-Qaeda and separatists in the largest military strikes there in more than a decade.

The situation in Mali remained highly unstable after unprecedented large-scale attacks on several cities, including Bamako, by jihadists from Nusrat al-Islam (GSIM, affiliated…

Sadio Camara and his family members killed in car bomb, as Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda affiliate launch string of attacks

Military intelligence chief reportedly also killed in sweeping attacks by jihadists and separatist rebels

The military came to power to bolster security but the weekend's attacks have brought that into question.

Setbacks suffered by the Bamako junta against insurgent groups have reestablished Algiers as a mediator after years of waning influence in the region.

The blockade comes days after Mali's defence minister was assassinated in a series of nationwide attacks.