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The Malian military and the Russian Africa Corps have dealt more blows to al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), who launched a large-scale offensive across the Sahel country on April 25.
Thousands of militants from the two groups attacked the capital, Bamako, in addition to several key cities, including Sevare, Gao, and Kidal.
On April 30, the aviation of the African Corps targeted two large camps of the militants near the town of Folona in the southern Sikasso region and close to the area of Farani in the western region of Koulikoro. The airstrikes were carried out in cooperation with the Malian military. Videos showing the airstrikes were released.
Additional videos showing airstrikes targeted JNIM and FLA militants from the first day of the offensive were also released by the Malian military.
Separately, it was reported that on April 30 helicopters of the African Corps managed to reach a Malian base besieged by JNIM near the town of Hombori in the central region of Mopti. The helicopters delivered supplies and evacuated wounded troops.
JNIM announced the complete capture of a large base located there during the day, but it appears that the Malian military is still present nearby.
Amid these developments, JNIM is reported to be working to tighten its partial siege on Bamako. It is still unclear, however, if the capital has been completely cut off.
A counteroffensive by the Malian military and the African Corps could start soon. Russia has already stressed that it won’t be leaving Mali. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing on April 30 that Russian forces would remain in the country “to combat extremism, terrorism and other harmful phenomena.”
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.
Despite their current alliance, major differences remain between JNIM and FLA. The first seeks to replace established state authority with a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, while the second was founded by several Tuareg movements based on its demands for the independence or autonomy of Azawad.
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the usadmin and its nato poodles have played this hand before…in serbia, libya, iraq, syria, afghanistan, so now the game is up. the russian admin and the mali admin already know what to expect. the usadmin and its nato poodles don’t have an alternative attack plan. their little helpers who were very probably promised everything, but now only have an early death to look forward to because this time the russian admin isn’t going to stand by and do nothing.