The simultaneous attacks in Mali by al Qaeda and separatist Tuareg rebels on April 25 have highlighted the growing reach of militants across West Africa. The attacks, which also included the killing of Mali's defence minister and imposing a total blockade of the capital Bamako, showed that different groups were able to strike at the heart of the country's military government. Despite interventions by French, U.S., UN and Russian troops, these militant groups have made significant gains elsewhere in the region, expanding their presence in Mali's neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Their reach now stretches over 3,000 km (1,900 miles) from western Mali near Senegal, through Nigeria and into Chad. Major gold, lithium and uranium mining operations are at risk, along with other countries along the coast.