Brits are being warned that a terrorist attack is “very likely” in Mali with the US Embassy saying that “planning” maybe under way.
Mali has been in turmoil with civil unrest and rising tensions after two coups in the country which is controlled by a military government.
Last month Mali’s army said it had killed a “dozen terrorists” in air strikes including a French-Tunisian jihadist in the village of Moura, it is reported.
The situation has been deteriorating with the government falling out with its ally France, who has been helping them tackle rebel fighters blamed for killing thousands of people in recent years.
And now the US Embassy in Mali has told its citizens that an attack on the capital Bamako could be planned.
It stated : “A terrorist attack in Bamako may be planned targeting Malian government offices, the airport, and/or locations frequented by Westerners including diplomatic facilities, hotels, and restaurants.”
The UK government has also updated its advice to Brits on Friday saying that an attack is very likely that could be “indiscriminate”.
It stated: "Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Mali, including kidnaps.
"There is a heightened risk of attack in Bamako. Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur without warning, including in places visited by foreigners and large crowds."
As with advice from the US Embassy, people from the UK are being told to avoid crowded areas which could be anything from hotels and shopping areas to nightclubs.
The UK government advice continued: "You should be especially vigilant and where possible avoid places frequented by foreigners and large crowds including, diplomatic premises, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, stadiums, concert halls, shopping areas, markets, national infrastructure, airports and other transport hubs, places of worship and businesses with western interests.
"Large crowds and foreign, national or local government facilities, including those belonging to the defence and security forces, may also be a target."
It comes with claims that Russian mercenaries are operating in African countries and have been involved in massacres leading to hundreds of civilians being killed.
The Wagner Group, a private company linked to Vladimir Putin, have been blamed for attacks in Mali in a bid to intensify unrest and instability, reported The Guardian.
