Two sources reported on Monday that at least 40 fuel tanks were destroyed on Sunday in Mali when al Qaeda insurgents, who had declared a fuel blockade in the country, attacked a convoy consisting of over 100 vehicles with military escort.

A source from the Mali chamber of commerce told AFP that the country will run out of fuel in two weeks if the supply is completely cut off.

According to a truckers' union representative, around 40 fuel tanks were destroyed during the Sunday incident. A source close to JNIM claimed that 80 tankers had been destroyed.

The group's spokesperson claimed credit for the attack on the Kayes area in the west of the nation, and stated that the Malian soldiers who were escorting a convoy fled the scene.

Mali's Army said in a press release that it had "suffered" a terrorist act during a mission for the security of people and goods along the road between Kayes and Bamako but reacted with "vigorously".

The army spokesperson did not reply to an inquiry for more information on the number fuel tankers that were destroyed.

Analysts say that militant groups are putting increasing pressure on the country's military-led government. They want to surround cities and towns across the Sahel. (Reporting from Mali newsroom, Additional reporting by Portia crowe; Editing and proofreading by Jan Harvey).

(source: Reuters)