Sahel Alliance Airstrikes Kill 20 ISIS Militants in Eastern Mali
Joint AES airstrikes target ISIS militants, reinforcing regional efforts to secure eastern Mali
- Precision airstrikes by the Alliance of Sahel States neutralized 20 insurgents and destroyed key logistical equipment near Menaka
- The operation highlights the growing collaboration between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso
- In a separate raid, the Malian army eliminated Abou Alghabhas Ichmali, a commander accused of civilian abuses
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has neutralized 20 ISIS militants in eastern Mali during precision airstrikes in the Akabar region.
Malian military officials confirmed that the Sunday operation targeted insurgents on motorcycles and destroyed key logistical equipment near Menaka. The airstrikes also hit surviving fighters from a previous clash who had regrouped amid supply shortages.
This success follows the December launch of the 5,000-strong United Force, a joint defense initiative by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso aimed at countering rising extremism in the Sahel. General Daouda Traore leads the coalition from its headquarters in Niamey.
In a separate operation, the Malian army eliminated Abou Alghabhas Ichmali, a notorious commander accused of orchestrating serious civilian abuses.
Mali continues to face a complex security crisis, which has persisted since separatist movements emerged in 2012. The government maintains a hardline stance against the Azawad Liberation Front and al-Qaeda-linked groups, classifying them all as terrorist organizations.
The latest air offensive underscores enhanced coordination among the three neighboring nations to secure the region’s volatile desert borders. Officials say this victory represents a significant step in dismantling the shadow networks threatening the African Sahel.
