Al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, called on all of Mali's "sincere patriots," including political parties, security forces, religious authorities and traditional chiefs, to "unite our forces in a common front" against the country's ruling junta, the group said in a statement shared by France 24 journalist Wassim Nasr on his X account on April 30. JNIM stressed that ending the junta's rule was not "sufficient" and called for a "peaceful, responsible and inclusive" transition to ensure Mali does not fall into a "chaotic void."

JNIM launched nationwide attacks on April 25, following which it announced a blockade of Bamako on April 28. Local reports indicate that the jihadist militants are already blocking entrance to the capital on key axes. However, the Africa Corps shared footage on social media of one of its helicopters escorting a fuel convoy to Bamako.