APA-Dakar (Senegal) –
As part of a jointly planned operational initiative, military units from Senegal’s Zone No. 4 have conducted land and river patrols in collaboration with their Malian and Mauritanian counterparts. These operations aim to bolster cross-border security and provide direct support to local communities.
According to the Senegalese Army’s Public Relations Directorate (DIRPA) on Twitter, “these patrols successfully took place on September 10 and 11, 2024.” On September 10, a land patrol was conducted in the Diogountourou region of Mauritania, in cooperation with the Mauritanian armed forces. The following day, a joint operation occurred on the Senegalese side, in the town of Aroundou.
These military efforts were complemented by free medical consultations provided to local residents. The civil-military operations are designed to strengthen the relationship between the armed forces and the communities they serve while offering essential medical assistance to those in need.
These initiatives come amidst rising water levels in the Senegal River due to heavy rainfall in the northern region, which have disrupted navigation and led to accidents, including one on August 26 in Nabaji Civol where five individuals are still missing following a pirogue collision with a bridge under construction.
Additionally, there has been a surge in activities from armed terrorist groups in western Mali, presenting a growing security threat along the borders with Senegal and Mauritania. In August, the al-Qaeda-linked Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for three attacks in the Kayes region, particularly near the Mauritanian border.
AC/lb/abj/APA