The Malian army (Fama), supported by Russia’s Africa Corps, has carried out a series of counter-insurgency operations across central and northern Mali, killing several suspected militants, arresting others, and targeting armed group positions in coordinated ground and air operations.
According to Malijet, a joint operation in the central Mopti Region killed two suspected militants and resulted in the arrest of two others. Africa Corps said its forces engaged an armed group travelling in two pickup trucks after coming under fire. The operation also led to the seizure of three AKM rifles and ammunition, while several other fighters were reportedly wounded and fled.
In northern Mali, Malian and Russian forces conducted an airstrike near Lere in the Timbuktu Region. Africa Corps said the strike targeted a militant position and neutralised several field commanders, although it did not disclose the number of casualties.
Separately, Radio Nostalgie reported that an aerial reconnaissance mission in the Nara Region identified a suspected militant base with two positions. A follow-up airstrike reportedly destroyed one of the sites, killing four fighters. Another reconnaissance mission in the Wagadou Forest under Operation Dougoukoloko also reportedly resulted in the deaths of several militants.
The operations are part of Mali’s ongoing high-intensity campaign against the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg separatist groups operating under the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA). The campaign is supported by approximately 2,000 personnel from Russia’s Africa Corps, which provides intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical air support.
The Malian military has reiterated its commitment to continuing operations aimed at locating and neutralising armed groups. If the current campaign continues, joint operations with Africa Corps are expected to remain a key element of Mali’s counter-insurgency strategy.
