The Malian armed forces reported that the attack took place the previous day in an operation they described as a surgical bombing against these armed groups in the Faya forest, south of the town of Zantiguila.

According to these military sources, the group was traveling in a column of about 40 motorcycles, and its logistics were completely destroyed.

The military statement also points out that coordinated operations to search for and neutralize these Islamist factions will continue actively throughout the country.

One of these groups is the group known as the Support for Islam and Muslims (Jnim), which attacks villages, imposes a religious tax, and mandates the use of the black veil for women.

Over the past few months, the al-Qaeda-linked Jnim group has been attacking fuel convoys heading to Mali’s capital in an attempt to cripple the country’s economy, leading to increased military operations against them.

The nation is also facing a coalition of Tuareg groups, known as Berbers, determined to secede from the northern region and create an independent state.

Located in the Sahel, Mali is mired in a deep political crisis, exacerbated by successive coups in August 2020 and May 2021.

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