By Mevlut Ozkan
ISTANBUL (AA) - The air forces of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have “neutralized” 20 ISIS (Daesh) terrorists during airstrikes in eastern Mali, the Malian army said on Sunday.
In a statement on US social media company X, the army (FAMa) said AES forces on Saturday conducted high-precision air operations in the Akabar area, south of Menaka, targeting militants on motorcycles and destroying logistical equipment.
It also said additional terrorists and their logistical supplies were targeted, along with survivors of a Thursday operation in northern Menaka, who had regrouped in an AES-surveilled area due to fuel and ammunition shortages.
On Dec. 20, the AES, comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, formally launched a 5,000-strong joint military force known as the United Force of the AES (FU-AES).
The force was officially launched at a ceremony in Bamako attended by Mali's leader, Assimi Goita. It is led by Burkina Faso's Gen. Daouda Traore and headquartered in Niamey, Niger.
The Malian army also confirmed that Abou Alghabhas Ichmali, a wanted terrorist responsible for serious abuses against civilians, was “neutralized” on Thursday during a FAMa raid in the Inatabakat area in northern Menaka.
Mali has been facing a security crisis since 2012, fueled by separatist movements and terrorist attacks, particularly in the northern and central regions.
In Dec. 2024, five armed separatist groups announced an alliance, forming the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), which seeks independence for certain regions of northern Mali.
The alliance has the High Council for Azawad Unity (HCUA), the National Movement for Azawad Liberation (MNLA), and rebel factions of the Azawad Arab Movement (MAA) and Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (GATIA).
The Malian government regards these groups, as well as the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), as terrorist organizations.