Illustrative image. (Telegram)
The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) and the Russian Africa Corps are little by little expanding operations against the separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in the north and east of Mali.
The two unlikely allies launched a large-scale offensive across the Sahel country on April 25, and managed to make some serious gains. However, over the last two weeks, the offensive faded away, and now the situation is swinging back in favor of the military government in Mali.
The FAMa and the Africa Corps refused to withdraw from their positions in northern Mali despite JNIM’s ultimatum expiring on May 8.
According to reports from May 13, they have reinforced positions in the town of Anéfis, and around the military base east of the town of Aguelhok in the northern region of Kidal region — whose center was captured by the FLA —, all while repositioning forces withdrawn from the towns of Tessalit, Kidal, and Aguelhok within the same region.
The aviation of the Africa Corps also intensified strikes on militants positions in Kidal. Strikes also hit camps along the Algerian border, as well as militants near the town of Ber preparing advances toward the city of Timbuktu in the northern region of Tombouctou.
Meanwhile, Malian and Russian forces are reported to have retaken the Labbezanga base near Niger border in the eastern region of Gao. They also sent reinforcements to the region of Ménaka, located in eastern Mali, as well as to the town of Hombori in the central region of Mopti region.
In the center of Mali, JNIM militants are still attempting to completely cut off the capital, Bamako, blockading roads, and attacking nearby towns. Helicopters from the aviation of the Africa Corps are, however, escorting convoys heading from and to the city.
The FAMa and the Africa Corps could within a few weeks start a large-scale counteroffensive to push back both JNIM and the FLA.
Military commanders took power in Mali after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security in the country where militants control large areas in the north and center.
Under the leadership of Gen. Assimi Goita, Mali moved away from France, and built strong relations with both Russia and Turkey. The military government has been also pursuing closer ties with the United States.
The convenience alliance between JNIM and FLA may not last for too long. JNIM seeks to replace established state authority with a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, while the FLA was founded by several Tuareg movements based on its demands for the independence or autonomy of Azawad.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
