Sky Mali, the only air carrier flying to the northern Malian city of Timbuktu, suspended its flights bound for this destination due to security reasons, media reported.
The cancellation of flights to the city aggravated the blockade of Timbuktu, which was announced last month by an al-Qaeda-linked* alliance, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims* (GSIM).
On September 7, in the country's Gao region, an army position at Bamba and the Timbuktu boat on the Niger river, were attacked by jihadists. At least 49 civilians and 15 soldiers were reportedly killed.
Following the assaults, last Sunday, the Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to his Malian counterpart Assimi Goita and discussed issues concerning the fight against terrorism and humanitarian aid with the African leader.
In addition, on Saturday, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the "barbaric, inhumane and despicable" terrorist attack in Mali.
Mali has been suffering from incessant terrorist attacks since 2012, when ethnic Tuareg militants seized swaths of territories in the northern part of the country. This regionwide turmoil facilitated terrorism spreading across the Sahel.
Despite a decade-long presence of counterterrorism forces, namely the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), nationwide instability had grown in recent years.
The Malian government requested that the mission be terminated because, according to the country's authorities, it failed to adequately respond to the security situation there and stoked the escalating tensions.
Following the request, the UN Security Council decided to withdraw MINUSMA by the end of the year.
*Terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries