France urges citizens to leave Mali 'as soon as possible' amid security risks

Paris: ​France has urged its nationals in Mali to leave "as soon as ⁠possible" following coordinated attacks at the ⁠weekend, including in ‌the capital Bamako, ​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