Mali: The army is stepping up its operations in the face of an upsurge in terrorist attacks
The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) have launched a series of large-scale military operations in northern and central Mali in response to a significant surge in terrorist attacks. This “national counter-offensive”, announced on June 5, aims to neutralize armed groups responsible for recent violence in strategic regions of the country.
According to the General Staff, the terrorist groups are operating in coalition and receiving foreign logistical and financial support. Their targets include FAMa units and civilian populations, particularly in areas belonging to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which brings together Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
On June 4, simultaneous strikes were carried out: in Ménaka, rear bases and enemy convoys were destroyed; in Boulkessi, in the Douentza region, dozens of fighters were neutralized with air support; in the Soussan forest, in the Koulikoro region, hostile positions were targeted as part of preventive operations. Near Kidal, in Yenchéchi, a major logistics base was hit, destroying several troop transport vehicles. Another armed convoy was eliminated in the same area. Additionally, a column of fighters who had recently attacked the Tessit military camp was repelled and targeted during its retreat.
The General Staff affirms that the AES joint force units remain on high alert to defend territorial integrity. Sweeping and neutralization operations are ongoing, while collaborators of the armed groups are now under close surveillance and will be subject to legal proceedings. This announcement comes amid a resurgence of armed violence in several regions of the country. Recent attacks have been reported in Boulkessi, Dioura, Sarakorola, Koulikoro, Timbuktu, and the Nioro district, where a curfew has been imposed.
Finally, the army praised the active cooperation of civilian populations, whose reports of suspicious activity are, according to the authorities, systematically taken into account in the conduct of operations.
