Mali's interim president fired three senior commanders in the armed forces, a cabinet meeting report showed on Wednesday.

President Assimi Goita replaced the deputy general chief of staff, the head of military security and the ground forces' chief of staff, the document said.

AFP news agency reports that the three were fired "for poor results" on the battlefield, citing a senior officer.

Since 2012 Mali has been locked in a security crisis fuelled by violence from terrorists linked to Al Qaeda and the Daesh.

Goita rose to power following military takeovers in 2020 and 2021 on a promise to improve security.

Al Qaeda linked terrorists have recently appeared to be seeking to isolate the capital, Bamako, by increasing operations on the surrounding roads.

Since September they have blockaded fuel imports from neighbouring countries, disrupting daily life in the landlocked country.