Military operations in northern Mali and tight security measures in Bamako Politics news

The Russian African Legion said on Saturday that its members and the Malian army eliminated what they described as terrorists in the Lira region in the north of the country, adding that joint operations are continuing in various regions, in addition to securing convoy assets and tracking down armed groups.

The Malian army announced the implementation of air strikes on what it described as strongholds of terrorist groups in various regions of the country during the past days.

These developments come while the country is experiencing a fragile security situation since the coordinated attacks that took place on April 25 and 26, targeting strategic sites of the ruling military junta, including sites in the capital, Bamako, and resulted in the killing of 23 people, including Defense Minister Sadio Camara, following the detonation of a car bomb that targeted his house.

Media reports indicate that the attacks were launched by the “Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims”, which is loyal to Al-Qaeda, and the separatist “Front de Liberation de Azawad”.

Following the attacks, the two groups took control of several areas, including the strategic city of Kidal, which is about 1,500 kilometers from the capital, Bamako, but the Malian government later confirmed that it had regained control of a number of those areas, including the city of Menaka.

Security measures

At the field level, a field report by Baba Ould Horma from the capital, Bamako, depicted the nature of the scene there, as caution and anticipation still prevail over the daily lives of citizens. The report reveals that the city is recalling the attacks it experienced several weeks ago and is seeking to dispel the fears it left behind regarding stability.

Following these attacks, the Malian authorities are taking strict security measures near vital points such as television, radio, and the airport. Civilians have also been banned from entering 40 jungle areas, some of which are located in the vicinity of the capital, Bamako.

The measures also included prohibiting movement on some motorcycles outside urban areas of the country. These steps, according to the authorities, aim to reassure the residents of the capital in light of the constantly increasing threats posed by armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda against Bamako and its supply chains.

According to the report, these political tensions have cast a shadow on the economic and living conditions and burdened the population with additional burdens that have been worsening for years.