Brits have been told to ‘leave Mali immediately’ by the UK government following widespread violence and security risks.
It comes after a wave of coordinated attacks at the weekend, including in the capital Bamako.
A statement from the Foreign Office says: ‘FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Mali due to the unpredictable security conditions.
‘If you’re in Mali, you should leave immediately by commercial flight if you judge it safe to do so.
‘Do not try to leave Mali by overland routes to neighbouring countries as this is too dangerous. This is due to terrorist attacks along national highways.’
France has also urged its nationals in Mali to leave ‘as soon as possible’, 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.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.