Mali junta head is personally in charge of operations against jihadists and separatists in the wake of their coordinated attacks of Apil 25th.
Assimi Goita says he is assuming command of the defense ministry following the assassination of General Sadio Camara, killed in a suicide attack on his compound blamed on jihadist groups.
General Oumar Diarra was appointed deputy minister to manage the department’s day-to-day operations.
This decision comes as the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) launched a series of counter-offensives.
According to the General Staff, more than one hundred combatants have been neutralised in less than a week.
On April 25, strikes were carried out in Sevare, in the Mopti region, destroying a base and several targets, including a column of motorcyclists near Ke-Macina and an armed vehicle.
On April 26, an operation in Kolokani, in the Koulikoro region, intercepted a retreating column of militants.
On April 29, airstrikes targeted positions in Kidal. On May 2, two operations were conducted simultaneously: one in the Timbuktu region, southeast of Gourma Rharous, and the other in Sebabougou, in the Kita region, where several fighters were neutralised and equipment recovered.
General Sadio Camara was buried on April 30 in a state funeral in Bamako.
Furthermore, the military prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into suspected internal complicity, and arrests are underway.
The army headquarters indicated that it is continuing operations throughout the country.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA