Agence France Presse published on 5 September 2025 an article titled "Chinese Firms Pay Price of Jihadist Strikes against Mali Junta."
Jihadis linked to al-Qaeda have targeted all foreign companies in Mali in an effort to force the military junta to accept sharia law. Chinese operated gold and lithium operations have experienced the brunt of these attacks. Jihadis have kidnapped at least 11 Chinese nationals.