Mali junta faces rebel blockade

Mali's military junta is facing a deepening security crisis as Islamist militants and Tuareg rebels step up coordinated attacks across the country.

An Al-Qaeda-affiliated group has declared a blockade of the capital, Bamako, following the assassination of the country's defense minister.

The JNIM group has called for a broad uprising against the military rulers and their Russian mercenary allies, who have reportedly suffered significant defeats in recent weeks.

The funeral for Defense Minister Sadio Camara was held under heavy security, serving as a moment of both grief and defiance for the transitional government.