The General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces (EMGA) reported destroying vehicles belonging to “terrorist armed
groups” as part of the “MALIKO” operation dedicated to securing the territory and fighting terrorism.
In a statement sent to APA, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) reported the destruction, on Monday, August 26, 2024, of two vehicles, which they identified as belonging to “terrorist armed groups”, approximately 80 kilometers north of the town of Anefis, in the Kidal region.
According to the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces (EMGA), the operation took place as part of the “MALIKO” mission, aimed at “securing the national territory” and “fighting terrorism”.
The FAMa, after “prolonged surveillance” and “cross-checking of intelligence” from different sources, accurately located and destroyed two all-terrain vehicles carrying “war material”, approximately 80 kilometres north of Anefis, on the road to Tessalit.
The EMGA praised the “professionalism” of its troops as well as the “close collaboration” between the intelligence services, also highlighting “the positive attitude of the local populations” who support efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
This operation is part of a series of actions carried out by the FAMa to “neutralise terrorist threats” and strengthen security in northern Mali.
In parallel, the Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defence of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA) issued a statement accusing the “Bamako military junta” of carrying out a “drone strike” that targeted two of its vehicles in the locality of Tadjmart, the same area referred to in the FAMa statement. The CSP-DPA said the strike killed seven of its members, who were described as “martyrs.”
The statement expressed the organisation’s “deep sorrow” and offered its condolences to the victims’ families and the entire population of Azawad.
The CSP-DPA condemned the action, which it considered an “unjustified attack,” promising that these acts “will not go unpunished.”
The organisation paid tribute to the victims, presenting them as “heroes who fell on the field of honour,” and reiterated its commitment to “defending the interests of the people of Azawad” in the face of what it called “crimes committed by the Bamako junta.”
The gap between the Malian authorities and the rebels has widened further with the start of the process of withdrawing MINUSMA bases a year ago, which had an interposition force tasked with ensuring compliance with the ceasefire between the protagonists.
This withdrawal was also marked by the resumption of hostilities between the two sides until the decision of the Malian authorities to end the agreement resulting from the 2015 Algiers process, at the end of January 2024.
Currently, the two camps are no longer giving each other any gifts as clashes can occur at any time, as was the case at the end of last July, near Tinzaouatene, still in the Kidal region.
MD/Sf/ac/fss/as/APA