The Malian Armed Forces have destroyed two ready-to-use kamikaze drones during a targeted operation east of Gao, as part of intensified efforts against armed groups.
The strike, conducted on March 23, 2026, about 20 kilometers from the city, was based on human intelligence and led by units of the Eastern Intervention and Support Platoon and Operation Dougoukoloko.
Troops also uncovered around 20 launch pads and equipment linked to suspected militants, confirming the site’s use for coordinated drone attacks.
The army said the drones, already fitted with explosive charges, were destroyed on-site after securing the area to prevent future use.
The operation follows recent offensives in the Kayes Region, where dozens of fighters were killed and hostages freed, highlighting a broader escalation in military action against groups increasingly relying on drone warfare in northern and western Mali.
