15 Militants in Military Airstrikes in Mali

The Malian Armed Forces have announced that at least 15 militants were killed in a series of airstrikes targeting terrorist hideouts in the central Segou region, where al-Qaeda-linked groups operate.

According to a statement from the army’s Directorate of Information and Public Relations, aerial reconnaissance missions identified militant bases in the Segou and Timbuktu regions containing around 20 motorbikes and 15 fighters.

The Malian Air Force subsequently carried out precision strikes, destroying the sites and neutralizing the militants.

The operations, overseen by General Oumar Diarra, Chief of the General Staff, were described as major and successful air raids that reflected the professionalism and firm resolve of the Malian army in combating terrorism.

The military said that a reconnaissance mission west of the town of Sokolo in Segou led to the neutralization of approximately 15 militants and the destruction of around 20 motorbikes and hidden logistical supplies.

The army noted that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of its surveillance and reconnaissance systems in central Mali, an area frequently targeted by terrorist groups seeking to destabilize the country. It credited the success of the strikes to strong coordination between ground forces and air units, which helped thwart militant plans and inflict heavy losses on armed factions in the region.

Additional air operations were also carried out in northern, northeastern, and southeastern Timbuktu, where two camouflaged vehicles belonging to terrorist groups were detected and destroyed, one of them near the In-Gouzman area.

The army said these strikes underscore Mali’s growing military capabilities and its improved ability to anticipate threats and eliminate them before militants can mobilize. With enhanced technology and intelligence coordination, the Malian Armed Forces continue to advance in their counterterrorism efforts.

The latest military actions come amid an escalation of al-Qaeda attacks across Mali, particularly targeting transport routes connecting the country with neighboring states such as Senegal. The blockade imposed by the group has led to severe fuel shortages in Bamako and other major cities, prompting public calls for decisive action.

Mali has faced an armed insurgency for nearly 15 years, involving both al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. The conflict prompted a military coup in 2020, after which the Malian government ended its security partnership with France and turned to Russia for support, receiving Wagner Group fighters and advanced weaponry.