• Jihadist fighters have blocked major roads into and out of Bamako since late April
• Thousands of Malians are unable to travel home for Eid al-Adha celebrations
• Residents say this is the first time in decades they will miss family celebrations

Thousands of Muslims in Mali’s capital, Bamako, have been forced to abandon plans to celebrate Eid with their families after jihadist fighters cut off key roads leading out of the city.

The blockade, imposed by fighters linked to Al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch since late April, has disrupted travel, trade, and daily life, leaving many stranded during one of the most important religious celebrations in the country.

For Alpha Amadou, a 40-year-old resident originally from Mopti, the situation marks a painful break from decades of family tradition.

“For the first time in 30 years living in Bamako, I’ll be celebrating Eid here this year,” he told AFP.

Locally known as Tabaski, Eid al-Adha is not only a religious event in Mali but also a deeply rooted cultural gathering where families reunite after months apart.

However, the atmosphere at Bamako’s usually crowded bus terminals has changed dramatically.

Burned buses and freight trucks along major highways have created widespread fear among travelers and transport operators.

Transport companies say the attacks, combined with worsening fuel shortages, have crippled operations during what is typically one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

“Not only do we lack diesel to keep running, but we’ve also lost buses in recent incidents. It’s a huge economic blow,” said the owner of a local transport agency who requested anonymity.

Another transport manager explained that companies normally move more than 50,000 passengers from Bamako to other regions during the Tabaski period, but this year many operators have suspended trips entirely.

The insecurity has also forced private motorists to remain in the capital.

“It will be the first time in 30 years I won’t celebrate in my village. The road is too dangerous,” said Wara Bagayoko, who usually travels to Segou with his family for the holiday.

Others have also abandoned long-standing Eid traditions.

“Before, about 20 of us would travel together on motorbikes to Sikasso to celebrate,” said Oumar Diarra. “This year, we’ll stay in Bamako.”

Although a few minibuses still attempt to enter and leave the city using back roads or military escorts, transport activity remains severely limited.

The blockade has also disrupted the livestock trade, a central part of Eid celebrations in Mali, where families traditionally sacrifice sheep during Tabaski.

Traders say jihadist attacks on livestock trucks and transport routes have created severe shortages in Bamako, causing sheep prices to skyrocket.

“Many trucks of sheep have been burned by jihadists… Normally, I’d have more than 1,000 animals, but today, not a single one,” said livestock vendor Hama Ba.

Animals that previously sold for around 75,000 CFA francs are now being offered for as much as 300,000 CFA francs, far beyond the reach of many families in a country where the monthly minimum wage stands at 40,000 CFA francs.

Beyond transport and food shortages, Bamako residents are also struggling with prolonged electricity outages and limited access to clean water.

Tailors preparing festive outfits known as “Selifini” say production has slowed significantly because of the power crisis.

“We tried using a small solar panel,” dressmaker Alou Diallo explained. “But it can’t replace electricity.”

Families are also worried about preserving meat during the holiday due to the unstable power supply.

“How are we supposed to keep meat without electricity? Buying an expensive sheep only to lose it within 24 hours due to power cuts is a real fear,” said a mother living on the outskirts of Sirakoro.

Although authorities recently announced the arrival of hundreds of fuel tankers into Bamako to ease shortages, many residents say the emotional and economic damage has already been done.

For countless families across the Malian capital, the journey home for Eid has effectively come to a halt.

Iran gives US 30 days to end blockade as Strait of Hormuz tensions deepen

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that  Iran had issued the United States a 30-day ultimatum to end its naval blockade, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East despite an April 8 ceasefire that was meant to halt weeks of fighting.

The warning came from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which said Washington faced a choice between what it called an “impossible” military operation and accepting a difficult diplomatic settlement with Tehran.