Drew Bright

At least 175 ISIS fighters have been killed in the strikes that began on Saturday, according to a spokesperson for Nigeria's Defense Ministry.

Several ISIS commanders and key figures from the group's West African offshoot, ISWAP, have been killed, including ISIS Global Second-in-Command Abu Bilal al-Minuki.

These strikes come amid growing military operations between the US and Nigeria,

following claims by the Trump administration of targeted killings against Christians in Nigeria.

In March, more than 200 U.S.

soldiers were deployed to Nigeria for what the Pentagon described as training and intelligence purposes, but troops now appear to be undertaking combat missions.

For NPR, I'm Drew Bright in Lagos.

At least three of the six major roads leading to Bamako have been closed by militants, according to residents.

A total blockade has also been imposed on the nearby town of Segu, leaving thousands of people stranded on major roads.

The blockades are being mounted by the Al-Qaeda-linked Jinim group, which carried out large-scale attacks over the weekend alongside Tuareg separatist rebels.

Last year, Genie militants mounted a fuel blockade on Bamako, causing severe fuel shortages in the city.

On Tuesday, Tuareg rebels called on Russian forces who have been fighting alongside Mali's army to leave the country.

But a spokesperson for the Russian government has said Russian forces would remain.

Drew Bright, NPR News, Lagos.

Attacks have been reported in Mali's capital Bamako and in at least three other cities.

Explosions and sustained gunfire has been heard around Bamako's main airport and flights in and out of the city have been cancelled.

The U.S.

Embassy in Mali has advised Americans to shelter in place and avoid travel.

Mali's government says fighting is ongoing, but claims the situation is under control.

Videos circulating on social media suggest the attacks were launched by militants from the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group and Tuareg Azawad rebels.