The Armed Forces of the Republic of Mali (FAMa) have begun a counter-offensive across the country in response to a recent surge in terrorist activity. In an official communiqué issued by the General Staff of the Armed Forces on Wednesday, the military alleged that both internal and external actors are involved in fuelling the crisis across Mali and the wider Sahel.
The communiqué cited findings from an investigation conducted by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. According to the report, a coalition of armed terrorist groups—backed by operational, logistical, financial, and informational support—has been active in the region.
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FAMa stated that the AES unified force is “doing everything possible to stifle this resurgence of a beast that, already defeated, is being resurrected and kept alive by forces that have now been identified.”
As part of its response, the Malian military has launched a series of offensive operations aimed at eliminating terrorist threats while securing the population and minimising collateral damage.
Recent operations include the destruction of terrorist shelters and logistics hubs in the MENAKA region, as well as the neutralisation of several cells in the BOULKESSI sector of the DOUENTZA region. Preventive actions have also led to the destruction of terrorist hideouts in the SOUSSAN forest, KOULIKORO region.
FAMa reported that in YENCHECHI, 50 km west of KIDAL, a logistics convoy made up of personnel carriers and its cargo was destroyed, along with several high-ranking terrorist members. A group of around ten fighters and three pickup trucks were also eliminated north of YENCHECHI. Additionally, a terrorist column that attacked a FAMa camp in TESSIT was “repelled, pursued, and violently attacked during their attempt to retreat.”
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The military noted that “all units of the AES unified force remain on alert to defend territorial integrity and protect the population.” It added that the operation to “search and destroy” continues, with suspected collaborators under surveillance.
This development follows recent attacks by Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate. The group attacked the town of Boulikessi and seized a military base, followed by a separate assault in Timbuktu.
The communiqué referenced earlier joint statements by AES countries condemning alleged foreign-backed support for terrorism, which they say poses a direct threat to national and regional security.
