More than 30 terrorists have been killed in recent France-led operations Barkhane force in Mali, the French Armed Forces Ministry has announced.
Barkhane has intensified pressure on the extremist terrorist groups in the tri-border regions and the beyond the latest series of operations.
The force has carried out two operations earlier this month in the Mopti region of central Mali where they dealt huge blow to one of the constituent groups of Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM.
Then, between January 14 and 15, with attack helicopters, the force conducted the air assaults in southern Mopti where a full combat group was neutralized.
The Barkhane elite commandos were supported by helicopter gunships and an airstrike. At least 30 were killed and more that 20 motorcycles were destroyed. Other jihadist materials and items including telephone equipment were confiscated.
In January 19, another five-armed terrorists were killed by a drone strike conducted in the Liptako, near Tindinbawen in Mali, and close to Inatès in Niger. This is an area where the Islamic State attacks and activities are rampant. The operation also saw tree motorcycles being destroyed.
Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda’s senior leader, or general command has released a two-page statement where its has praised the jihadists in Mali and Somalia. Al-Qaeda maintains strong branches in East and West Africa. The praise is a sign of approval for the ongoing wars in these regions and should be a wake up call to the counter-terrorism assets to be alert as these praises are expected to boost the jihadist morale preparing them for more attacks.
