21 Countries With "Do Not Travel" Warnings: What You Need To Know

11. Mali: Expanding Insurgency in the Sahelian Arc

Mali remains at the epicenter of the Sahel's escalating security crisis in 2025. Jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS operate extensively across northern and central Mali, launching attacks against security forces and civilians, and engaging in widespread kidnapping, particularly of Westerners. Political instability following military coups has further weakened state control. "Do Not Travel" advisories cover vast swathes of the country due to the extreme risk of terrorism, abduction, and violent crime, making any journey exceptionally perilous beyond heavily secured areas in Bamako.