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Sahel Herald Of the lands where the wind is red Main channel: @departamente Link: @Departament_Feedback_bot
🇳🇪 Niger Air Force Strikes Militants
Niger’s Ministry of Defense has released footage of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones striking militant positions following coordinated attacks by the JNIM group on July 4 against security forces in Boulangou and Samira.
As a result of the assaults, at least 10 soldiers were killed, and another 15 were airlifted by helicopter to Niamey for urgent medical treatment.
According to the Ministry of Defense, more than 40 militants were eliminated during the retaliatory operation.
#Niger
@africaintel
🏳️🇲🇱Operations in Goundam
On July 1, 2025, Malian army units, supported by Russian allies, once again conducted a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Lake Télé sector, Goundam district, Timbuktu region.
During the operation, based on intelligence, four suspected terrorists equipped with radios were detained. Additionally, soldiers recovered and returned 225 head of stolen livestock to the local population.
@departamenteng
🇲🇱🇲🇱Surrender of terrorist leader
On June 28, 2025, in the Ansongo region, one of the notorious gang leaders, Boubacar Ibrahim, nicknamed “Hubbel,” along with a dozen of his associates, voluntarily surrendered to the Malian armed forces in the Lellekho area.
The militants arrived on five motorcycles, handed over their weapons and equipment, and then headed for the city of Ansongo.
➡️The surrender took place against the backdrop of ongoing operations by the Malian army against terrorist groups in the region.
On the same day, a foreign militant leader was killed in the Menaka area, dealing another blow to radical structures in the east of the country.
No one forgets that Russian servicemen from the “African Corps” are participating in the operations: “An African without Russians in battle — I saw it once, but immediately wanted to forget it.”
@departamenteng
🇲🇱🇲🇱Elimination of terrorist leader
On June 28, 2025, Malian armed forces, supported by the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA), neutralized a foreign IS* field commander during a targeted operation in the Chimam area, near Menaka.
➡️The eliminated militant, known as “Abu Dahdah,” was the group's ideologue and an expert in IEDs and suicide bombings, involved in the recent attack on Banibango in Niger.
During the operation, other militants were also killed, and weapons and ammunition were seized. This success dealt a serious blow to terrorists in the region.
*— a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation
@departamenteng
🏳️🇫🇷 Drones: on both sides of the front line
The French television channel Arte aired a report on the activities of the separatist organization “Azawad Liberation Front.” Part of the video was devoted to drones, which are used by both sides.
➡️ At the beginning of the clip, militants are shown hiding their vehicles in the desert near trees: they simply cover their pickup trucks with bushes and cloth.
Then it shows the process of training the separatists' UAV operators: they learn using the game , in which they created a mode with a desert-like map. One of the militants, named Usman, reports that they have established their own production based on online guides.
ℹ️ And, of course, the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) couldn't resist a bit of PR — the French didn't miss the chance to mention Ukrainian instructors who allegedly helped organize the militants' unmanned systems.
@departamenteng
🇧🇯 Benin army night operation against terrorists in the W Park area
On the night of June 18-19, 2025, Benin security forces conducted a major military operation in the W National Park area. Armed group activity in the region has increased sharply following recent attacks on police stations in Kouarfah (Toukountouna) and Sonsoro (Kandi) by unknown armed groups.
According to official data, Beninese units, supported by aviation, struck enemy positions. As a result, three terrorist bases were destroyed and several militants were neutralized. There were no casualties among Beninese military personnel.
@departamenteng
🇲🇷🇫🇷 Slowly but surely
Increasing Western military influence in Mauritania
Since the end of the jihadist uprising in Mauritania in 2011, France has become Nouakchott's main military ally. At the moment, the Mauritanian army is modernising, still with support from Paris, but the goals are somewhat different.
ℹ️ Highlights of military co-operation in recent years:
➡️ In 2021, to strengthen the country's navy, Nouakchott turned to the French company NEXEYA, which supplied patrol boats and navigation systems. The move was primarily aimed at combating illegal migration, a headache for the EU.
➡️ From the end of 2024, activism began along the lines of the G5 Sahel, an organisation that de facto ceased to exist in 2023. With Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger leaving the alliance, only 2 countries remain: Mauritania and Chad. But the leadership in N'Djamena decided to follow everyone else in expelling French troops, effectively leaving Mauritania as France's only loyal ally.
Along these lines, a €40 million package was unfrozen, which was channeled into providing the Mauritanian army with drones and pickup trucks.
➡️In 2025, we can already see a serious intensification of cooperation with the EU: the country has received Czech trainers, is strengthening cooperation with French maritime companies and enjoys intelligence support from the French Air Force. Nouakchott could also become a new base for the French Armed Forces, something that has been talked about since the French left Senegal.
🏳️🇲🇱 ‘Allah Ag Albahar Mujahideen Brigade’ - new- old enemies of Mali
Departmente Disassembly
On 1 June 2025, information appeared on social media about the creation of a new battalion formed of young people within the separatist ‘Front for the Liberation of Azawad’ (FLA). It is named after the Tuareg bandit Alla Ag Albahar, who fought the French and was executed in 1954.
❗️ What you should know about the new unit:
➡️The new unit was initiated among separatists by Mohamed Ag Sidi, a defector from the Islamist organization JNIM, nicknamed ‘Tariq’. He is the main supplier of Belgian mines to northern Mali.
The actual use of Belgian mines was the first distinctive feature of the new separatist compound, which they are keen to emphasise with multiple footage of their use.
➡️ Also, as can be understood from clashes on 13 June, they have been given an unmanned unit under their command. Using FPV drones, they hit several pieces of Malian Armed Forces equipment that had been abandoned by the troops.
➡️So far, their area of operation has been limited to the Anefis-Aguelhok road, where they first attacked Government forces. It is possible that their area of operations will constantly change within the Kidal region.
ℹ️ Regarding ideological orientation:
➡️The unit is part of the HCUA, one of the main separatist movements that maintains autonomy despite merging into a single group. Its leader, Algabass Ag Intalla, is the main negotiator between the separatists and radical Islamists.
➡️ The formation was supported by the HCUA's chief of staff, Achafi Ag Bohada, who has links to terrorists, including those from the Islamic State. Nigerian authorities hold him responsible for an ambush near Tongo-Tongo in 2017.
🏳️🇲🇱“Wagner, Wagner!”
JNIM Islamists, who today attacked a military camp near Bulkessi, published a video of one of the dead Malian Armed Forces soldiers, who was immediately dubbed a “Russian mercenary”.
❗️However, local sources report that the soldier in question is a Tuareg, most likely a GATIA militia integrated into the army.
But the media effect is already there and it will not be surprising if this video is picked up by various information dumps. Who can tell the difference between a Russian and a Tuareg, right?
@departamenteng
🏳️🇲🇱JNIM militants have released footage from a military post in Bulkessi that was attacked in the morning, where they managed to burn a dozen pieces of equipment
@departamenteng
🏳️🏴War between terrorists in Gao, situation as of June 1
Clashes between Islamist groups have continued in the Three Borders region since May 25. The Sahel branch of the Islamic State* has been attacking territory controlled by Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
➡️Yesterday, the latter's post in the village of Isseyangua, 15 kilometers from Doro, came under attack. As a result of the attack, the radical Islamists ceded their positions to more radical ones.
At the same time, a detachment of IS terrorists ambushed the JNIM near the village of Gabero, southeast of Gao. As a result, the radicals suffered casualties.
❗️The weakening of JNIM positions in the area is due to recent events in northern Burkina Faso. In order to attack Djibo and Solle, units were withdrawn from the Gao region, so their position was weakened.
🔫Further escalation could lead to the Duenza - Gossi highway being taken over by more violent militants than they were.
*- a terrorist organization banned in Russia
@departamenteng
🇧🇫🏳️Burkina Faso Armed Forces ambushed a militant group
On the road from Wahigui to Djibo, near Titao, 21 Rapid Reaction Squad conducted a successful ambush on a group of militants. As a result of the operation, four motorcycles, nine small arms (including Kalashnikovs and a machine gun), ammunition, magazines and equipment were seized.
Of the group of 10, four were captured. The rest were neutralized by the armed forces. Thanks to this operation, it was possible to thwart one of the attacks on a VDP post in the north of the country.
@departamenteng
🏳️🇲🇱 Mali General Staff reports on the response
According to a statement, the Armed Forces (FAMa) successfully repelled a double terrorist attack on security posts in Tanabougou and Sirakorola in the Koulikoro region in the early morning of May 30 at around 05:30.
➡️An offensive operation was conducted in response, killing several militants and recovering captured equipment. The area has been put under increased surveillance and mop-up operations are ongoing.
In addition, FAMa command reports neutralization of terrorists northeast of Murdia.
❗️I note that this time the general staff reacted promptly, which is in stark contrast to other cases. Apparently, the closer to the capital, the greater the importance for information services.
@departamenteng
🏴🇳🇪Attack on Eknewan
For the third time in a year, terrorists of the “Islamic State ”* carried out an attack on a post of the Armed Forces of Niger in Eknewan. According to the militants' statement, about 40 soldiers were killed and equipment was seized by the attackers. The head of the country's general staff arrived in Tillia for the funeral of the dead.
The Islamists used drones during the attack, which confused the soldiers, who were unprepared to counter UAVs.
It is worth noting that at the same time the multinational exercise “Tarkha-Nakal 2” is taking place in the same area, which explains the concentration of soldiers in this unpopulated
@departamenteng
🇲🇱 Битва за безопасность: Мали планирует увеличить численность армии
Премьер-министр Мали генерал Абдулайе Маига представил Национальному переходному совету (CNT) План действий правительства (PAG) на 2025–2026 годы. Ключевым компонентом этого плана стало намерение набрать 24 000 человек для укрепления сил обороны и борьбы с терроризмом в регионе Сахеля.
Пятнадцать тысяч человек планируется направить в регулярную армию (FAMA). Остальные девять на усиление внутренней безопасности, в том числе для обеспечения свободного перемещения людей и товаров.
«Сталкиваясь с террористическими атаками, в том числе со стороны джихадистов, правительство продолжит работу по обеспечению территориальной целостности страны и обеспечению безопасности людей и их имущества», — заявил премьер-министр Абдулайе Маига, представляя PAG.
🇧🇫🏳️Strike on JNIM in the Eastern Region
Fighters of the 26th Rapid Response Unit carried out a major operation against JNIM militants in the Ugaru area (East Region, Burkina Faso). According to preliminary reports, at least 18 terrorists were eliminated, although some sources report significantly higher losses among the enemy.
During the raid, weapons, motorcycles, and various equipment previously used by the militants were seized.
The operation was another response to JNIM's activity in the eastern parts of the country.
@departamenteng
🇲🇱 Mali: chronicle of attacks and responses
On July 1, militants carried out a large-scale coordinated attack in southwestern Mali, simultaneously attacking seven military posts. The main blow fell on the cities of Kayes, Niono, and Diboli.
➡️Kayes:
– Militants attacked the gendarmerie but were soon captured (some literally “by the hand”).
– The most violent were neutralized on the spot.
➡️Niono:
– Some of the terrorists were killed, and their photos appeared online.
➡️Diboli:
– The city on the border with Mauritania and Senegal was unable to repel the attack.
– Militants broke through to the center, burning gendarmerie posts and civilian homes.
– Eyewitnesses filmed jihadists strutting through the streets.
☠️In the central regions of the country, violators of public order were taken to the “final stop” — there is no way back for them.
Irony of fate:
In Kayes, the militants had to pass a running test — but even the 100-meter dash proved too much for them.
🚨The overall situation remains tense, with clashes continuing in a number of areas.
@departamenteng
🇲🇱🇲🇦Meanwhile, Malian commandos are undergoing training in Morocco
As part of ongoing regional defense cooperation, 150 Malian Armed Forces personnel are currently undergoing advanced training at the Moroccan National Commando Training Center.
In fact, those who are fighting and those they are fighting against are being trained at the same training grounds.
@departamenteng
🇧🇫 Burkina Faso Armed Forces delivered food and fuel to the city of Djibo
During the convoy's movement, it was attacked by three FPV drones belonging to JNIM Islamists.
The city suffered significant damage after the attack by militants on May 11.
@departamenteng
🇲🇱 The Malian Air Force destroyed two pickup trucks in the area of the settlements of Tessalit and Telabi in the north of the country.
@departamenteng
🇲🇱🇳🇱💀The Hague absurdity
The International Criminal Court has received a request to investigate “war crimes” in Mali and Burkina Faso allegedly committed by local armies and PMC Wagner. The initiators are a number of diaspora and ethnic NGOs, including Kal Akal, Imouhagh International and the Azawad Solidarity Association - that is, organizations directly or indirectly linked to the separatists in northern Mali.
At the center of the accusations are videos circulating on Telegram that record the actions of Malian militias. They are presented as an example of “psychological terror,” “an attack on personal dignity” and “a crime against humanity.” The essence of the accusation comes down not to the actions themselves on the ground, but to the dissemination of recordings, which, I remind you, originally appeared in the networks of opposition supporters and militants.
➡️The ICC is trying to set a precedent: if it is impossible to accuse directly, it is possible to “tie” it to the information support - supposedly this is a crime in itself.
The accusations are based on a legal innovation that even in Western jurisdictions is still virtually unused: the attempt to qualify social media publications as “psychological terror” if they relate to military action. At the same time, battles with jihadists and separatists are being fought in an extremely complex legal zone, where the distinction between militants and civilians is blurred.
❗️The very fact that the request was submitted with one-sided accusations, without taking into account the crimes of the opponents - from the attack on villages to the attack on civilian convoys - demonstrates the political bias of the International Criminal Court. It is no longer about justice: the court is once again being used as a tool to pressure sovereign states and forces in the way of the West.
⚠️Moreover, if the investigation gains traction, it could prompt the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso to withdraw from The Hague's jurisdiction, following Russia's example. Thus, the ICC, as in the case of Russia, will close its own doors to the region, having lost what remains of its credibility.
@departamenteng
🇲🇱🇷🇺📷Militiamen of the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad conduct operations against terrorists north of Menaka city
They act together with Russian soldiers from the African Corps, which has a positive effect on their Russification.
@departamenteng
Fwd from @departamente
🇲🇱🇺🇦 Back to the Ukrainians...
It seemed there was no more chewed-up topic than the "Ukrainian trace" in the Malian conflict. The transfer of Azawad figures with the help of British activists to the territory of Ukraine and the training of drone control was already discussed.
However, when the topic had already subsided for almost a year, the local media decided to recall it again. LeFaso and Bamado published alleged evidence of the training of jihadists in the operation of UAVs by Ukrainian instructors. The materials, apart from textual mentions of some documents, contain nothing.
ℹ️Therefore, I consider it necessary to dot the i's, because the channel has been digging into this topic all this time.
➡️First, Ukrainian instructors were indeed present on the territory of Mali. Around mid-2024, they arrived in the Taodenni region as part of three special operations personnel and established contacts with a certain circle of persons associated with the separatists.
However, by the end of February, they all left the territory of Mali. Due to the lack of prospects for the mission and the outright failure in African politics, their activities became useless.
➡️Secondly, the militants have been using drones long before the arrival of the Ukrainians. Their use is not some kind of "thunder-club" brought by the white man. On the contrary, this is an obvious evolution - a cheap and easy-to-operate reconnaissance tool.
As early as 2021, "birds" of the militants could be tracked in the sky over Mopti, and the drops started a little later.
➡️Thirdly, this story was primarily spun by the GUR to get a "media victory" after the battle near Tin-Zaouaten. But they were never there, the local commanders of the separatists did not even know about the training of any fighters by Ukrainian officers, which is associated with the looseness of the movement.
❗️In summary, the "Ukrainian trace" is not something significant, but an unsuccessful, primarily media game of the GUR and other Ukrainian services. To see that this narrative is being taken over by local media in order to justify their defeats is extremely offensive.
@departamente Original msg
🏳️🇲🇱✈️However, Malian Air Force drones managed to destroy a group of retreating militants
❗️Once again, the General Staff's swift response to the attack and its timely news coverage is commendable.
@departamenteng
🏳️🇲🇱Malian Armed Forces report attack in Mopti
This morning, Islamists from Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) attacked a military post in the village of Bulkessi on the border with Burkina Faso. Aviation was then put on alert to calculate the attackers.
➡️According to a statement from the General Staff, the militants' convoy was destroyed, causing significant casualties in their ranks.
➡️Monitoring resources noted a UAV flight in the area, around the same time an unidentified aircraft flew from Burkina Faso towards Mali, most likely a coordinated response to the attack is underway.
@departamenteng
🏳️🏴Fighting for the Three Borders region
Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) militants affiliated with al-Qaeda* came under attack by Islamic State* (IS) terrorists in the Three Borders region during the last week of May.
➡️25 May south of In Tilith, black flags attacked white flags, capturing 2 positions. The JNIM Islamists retreated, leaving behind 8 motorcycles, including 1 with a machine gun.
On the same day, the attackers infiltrated the village and seized a large number of cattle, killing 2 people in the process. On May 30, the terrorists again infiltrated the village and seized three civilian water pickup trucks.
Tonight they advanced northward and attacked the famous In-Tahaka mine controlled by the pro-government GATIA militia.
❗️in summary, we can say that the area of In-Tilit n.p., where the largest gold mines in the Gao region are located, is moving from JNIM control into a gray zone, which is actively used by the Sahel branch of IS.
*- terrorist organization banned in Russia
@departamenteng
🏳️🏴Fighting for the Three Borders region
Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) militants affiliated with al-Qaeda* came under attack by Islamic State* (IS) terrorists in the Three Borders region during the last week of May.
➡️On May 25, south of In Tilith, black flags attacked white flags, capturing 2 positions. The JNIM Islamists retreated, leaving behind 8 motorcycles, including 1 with a machine gun.
On the same day, the attackers infiltrated the village and seized a large number of cattle, killing 2 people in the process. On May 30, the terrorists again infiltrated the village and seized three civilian water pickup trucks.
Tonight they advanced northward and attacked the famous In-Tahaka mine controlled by the pro-government GATIA militia.
❗️ In summary, it can be said that the In-Tilit area, home to the largest gold mines in the Gao region, is moving out of JNIM control into a gray zone, which is being actively exploited by the Sahelian branch of IS.
*- terrorist organization banned in Russia
@departamenteng
🇧🇫🏳️Militants in military uniforms
Radicals from Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) have released a video showing some of their militants wearing military uniforms captured from barracks.
This allows them to carry out operations under a false flag and blame the army and militias for mass killings. In addition, they are able to infiltrate cities and carry out targeted operations, such as kidnapping prefects.
@departamente
🏳️🇲🇱 Massive attack in Mali
On May 23, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) Islamist militants attacked an army base in Dioura, Mopti region. The army base was attacked simultaneously from three directions, preventing the soldiers from retreating.
❗️At least 20 soldiers, including the garrison commander, were killed in the attack. Armored personnel carriers and other equipment were burned at the base. The attackers seized 20 vehicles as well as a large number of weapons.
In September 2023, this base was attacked by Azawad separatists and the battle ended also not in favor of the Malians.
@departamente
🇧🇫🇸🇳Burkina Faso and Senegal agree on military intelligence coordination
During the visit of Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to Ouagadougou, he agreed to coordinate actions against terrorist groups with his Burkinabe counterpart. This primarily concerns intelligence.
This comes amid major attacks by the Islamist group JNIM in Burkina Faso. Senegalese authorities fear the spread of militants on their territory, who are already creating cells on the outskirts of the country.
@departamenteng