Jihadist and separatist forces have launched a major offensive in Mali, capturing key territory and blockading the capital. Despite the escalating conflict and the death of the defense minister, the ruling junta appears entrenched, with no clear political solution in sight.

It has been more than a week since jihadist and separatist forces in Mali launched a major military campaign aimed at ousting the ruling junta. On the first day of the offensive, Mali’s defence minister was killed. Since then, rebels have seized a strategic military stronghold in the north and are now attempting to blockade the capital, Bamako. FRANCE 24 terrorism expert Wassim Nasr explains the latest developments.