Militants capture positions north of Bamako

Jihadist militants have captured checkpoints and other positions from the Malian Army and Russia's Africa Corps to the north of Mali's capital, Bamako. This advance brings the ongoing joint offensive by JNIM and the FLA closer to the capital's outskirts. The capture of these positions threatens key supply and communication lines into the city. The Malian government and its Russian allies are facing intense pressure as the rebel offensive continues to gain ground.