Mali’s army recently reported significant gains against armed groups. Approximately 70 terrorists were “neutralized” in a series of operations.
The targeted regions included Menaka, Segou, Kidal, and Timbuktu. Malian Armed Forces also dismantled several terrorist bases. Numerous vehicles used by the militants were successfully destroyed. Coordinated counterterrorism efforts proved highly effective.
Crucially, these operations received vital air support. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) provided this assistance. The regional bloc comprises Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Their aerial collaboration bolstered ground efforts considerably.
The AES, formed in September 2023, is undergoing strategic shifts. It recently became a confederation on July 6. The bloc also announced withdrawals from ECOWAS and La Francophonie. This signals a new geopolitical alignment in West Africa.
Mali has endured a prolonged security crisis since 2012. The nation battles persistent armed separatist factions. Terrorist networks, particularly in the north and center, fuel instability. The army did not specify the groups targeted.
Last December, five armed groups united, forming the Azawad Liberation Front. This new entity seeks independence for parts of northern Mali. The Malian government firmly designates these groups as terrorist organizations.