The U.S. Embassy in Bamako has issued a security alert on Tuesday, April 28, warning of possible terrorist movements within the Malian capital, including reports of forced school closures—a tactic militants have previously used to spread fear and disrupt education.

American citizens are urged to continue sheltering in place, remain vigilant, follow local news, and avoid areas with ongoing security operations. The warning comes just four days after a major coordinated assault on Bamako on April 25, one of the largest attacks in Mali in recent years.

The al-Qaida-linked group JNIM claimed responsibility for that assault, which targeted Bamako’s Modibo Keïta International Airport and four other cities, stating it was carried out jointly with the Tuareg-led separatist group Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). Mali’s government reported 16 people wounded in the April 25 attacks, including civilians and military personnel, though no official death toll was provided.

Defense Minister Gen. Sadio Camara was killed, and his residence was heavily damaged by an explosion. In response, Bamako’s district governor announced a three-day overnight curfew from 21:00 to 06:00, in effect through the morning of April 28. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Mali due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping risks, and had ordered non-emergency personnel and their families to leave the country on October 30, 2025.