Africa

Mali “neutralizes” “a major terrorist group” after an ambush near Timbuktu

Mali "neutralizes" "a major terrorist group" after an ambush near Timbuktu

MADRID 10 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Malian Army has announced the “neutralization” of “an important terrorist group” in the surroundings of the city of Timbuktu (north), after repelling an “ambush” on a group of soldiers on the route that connects the town with Ber .

The General Staff of the Army has indicated in a statement published on its account on the social network Facebook that the ambush was laid during the day on Tuesday and has indicated that “the terrorists sought to avenge the crushing defeat suffered after the attack perpetrated on October 6 in Ber.”

Thus, he pointed out that the objective was the mission of the commander of sector 3, who was returning from a visit to the aforementioned city, before highlighting that the attack resulted in “some minor injuries”, in addition to the “neutralization of numerous terrorists.” , without providing a specific balance.

The October 6 attack was carried out by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), the branch of the terrorist organization in the region, and resulted in the death of Julaibib al Ansari, alias Azliza Uld Yehia, a senior official of training, according to the Malijet portal.

Uld Yehia has been identified as head of the Al Quds branch of the JNIM in the Timbuktu area and is suspected of being behind numerous attacks against civilians and military personnel in this region, the scene of an uptick in insecurity for several years.

The African country is currently led by a military junta established after the coups d’état perpetrated in August 2020 and May 2021, both headed by Assimi Goita, current transitional president, who has led a rapprochement with Russia while distanced from both France and Western governments, including its departure in January – along with Burkina Faso and Niger – from the ranks of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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