Malian Army Conducts Extensive Operations Against Al-Qaeda Affiliates
Military claims to have destroyed five terrorist bases and thwarted potential attacks in the region.
The Malian army has launched a large-scale counter-offensive operation targeting the jihadist group al-Qaeda-affiliated 'Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin', reporting the destruction of five bases utilized by the terrorist organization.
The military described this initiative as necessary to protect the population and confront armed terrorist groups.
According to an official statement from the army's media and public relations department, airstrikes conducted on a recent Saturday targeted five identified terrorist camps in western Mali.
The operations reportedly resulted in the complete destruction of two bases located near the outskirts of the Baouli forest, approximately 40 kilometers west of the city of Didiéni and close to the borders with Mauritania and Senegal.
Additionally, two other bases were destroyed about 20 kilometers north of Sandaré, alongside a fifth base near Bafakara, situated 40 kilometers north of Ouro in the Kayes region.
These locations have been known to host the 'Masina Liberation Brigade,' a faction of the aforementioned jihadist group.
The military statement indicated, "The bases that the terrorists were trying to establish have been completely incinerated," while declaring ongoing efforts to ensure security in the area through continued search and destruction missions.
The Malian army reported that its counter-offensive against al-Qaeda militants was bolstered by local community cooperation, which involved information sharing about suspicious activities in their regions.
In a related operation, the military announced that an attack on a vehicle loaded with explosives and weapons was executed by one of its aircraft.
This incident occurred in a location 11 kilometers southwest of the city of Bali, in the Nara region, near the Mauritanian border, and resulted in the destruction of the vehicle and the elimination of those aboard.
The military stated that this strike averted a planned terrorist attack.
It attributed the success of the operation to long-term and precise monitoring that enabled the identification and destruction of the civilian vehicle, which had reportedly been hijacked by terrorists for use in an impending assault.
As instability escalates in southern and central Mali, attacks by al-Qaeda have intensified, with militants managing to seize several military bases, including some situated near the capital, Bamako, leading to the deaths of dozens of Malian soldiers and significant losses in military equipment and arms.
These developments coincide with the conclusion of activities by the Russian private military group Wagner in Mali and the commencement of operations by the 'Africa Corps' under the Russian Ministry of Defense, despite reports suggesting that the Africa Corps largely comprises former Wagner fighters in the nation.
Recent days have witnessed the Africa Corps' initial operations on Malian soil, participating in airstrikes against terrorist positions in the western region.
The military described this initiative as necessary to protect the population and confront armed terrorist groups.
According to an official statement from the army's media and public relations department, airstrikes conducted on a recent Saturday targeted five identified terrorist camps in western Mali.
The operations reportedly resulted in the complete destruction of two bases located near the outskirts of the Baouli forest, approximately 40 kilometers west of the city of Didiéni and close to the borders with Mauritania and Senegal.
Additionally, two other bases were destroyed about 20 kilometers north of Sandaré, alongside a fifth base near Bafakara, situated 40 kilometers north of Ouro in the Kayes region.
These locations have been known to host the 'Masina Liberation Brigade,' a faction of the aforementioned jihadist group.
The military statement indicated, "The bases that the terrorists were trying to establish have been completely incinerated," while declaring ongoing efforts to ensure security in the area through continued search and destruction missions.
The Malian army reported that its counter-offensive against al-Qaeda militants was bolstered by local community cooperation, which involved information sharing about suspicious activities in their regions.
In a related operation, the military announced that an attack on a vehicle loaded with explosives and weapons was executed by one of its aircraft.
This incident occurred in a location 11 kilometers southwest of the city of Bali, in the Nara region, near the Mauritanian border, and resulted in the destruction of the vehicle and the elimination of those aboard.
The military stated that this strike averted a planned terrorist attack.
It attributed the success of the operation to long-term and precise monitoring that enabled the identification and destruction of the civilian vehicle, which had reportedly been hijacked by terrorists for use in an impending assault.
As instability escalates in southern and central Mali, attacks by al-Qaeda have intensified, with militants managing to seize several military bases, including some situated near the capital, Bamako, leading to the deaths of dozens of Malian soldiers and significant losses in military equipment and arms.
These developments coincide with the conclusion of activities by the Russian private military group Wagner in Mali and the commencement of operations by the 'Africa Corps' under the Russian Ministry of Defense, despite reports suggesting that the Africa Corps largely comprises former Wagner fighters in the nation.
Recent days have witnessed the Africa Corps' initial operations on Malian soil, participating in airstrikes against terrorist positions in the western region.