The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) carried out a series of air operations over the weekend in the regions of Ségou and Timbuktu, two days after an attack claimed by the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) group against a military convoy between Kayes and Bélémani.
According to the General Staff, reconnaissance and targeted airstrikes were conducted across several areas.
West of Sokolo in the Ségou region, about fifteen terrorists were neutralized and around twenty motorcycles and pieces of logistical equipment hidden under vegetation were destroyed.
Additional strikes hit northern, northeastern, and southeastern sectors of Timbuktu, particularly near In-Gouzma, targeting camouflaged pick-up trucks used by armed groups.
JNIM, in a statement issued on October 3 via its Az Zallaqa platform, claimed responsibility for ambushing a Malian army convoy between Kayes and Yelimané on October 1, reporting the deaths of four soldiers and the seizure of weapons, including a PK rifle and a Kalashnikov.
The Malian army commended the professionalism of its forces and called on the population to remain vigilant and cooperative to strengthen collective security and sustain efforts to reduce the terrorist threat.
