Mali army claims 4,880 fighters neutralised in five months
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on La Nouvelle Tribune
The Malian army says it put 4,880 fighters out of action between May and 20 October, destroyed 162 bases, 315 pick-ups and 1,300 motorbikes. Colonel-Major Bakary Bocar Maïga also reported 1,887 surveillance missions and 791 strikes at the 23 October military press briefing.
The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) say they put 4,880 fighters from armed groups out of action between May and 20 October 2026, and destroyed more than 162 bases, 315 pick-ups and 1,300 motorbikes. Colonel-Major Bakary Bocar Maïga, director of the Armed Forces’ Information and Public Relations, presented the figures at the monthly press briefing on 23 October.
Between May and September, the army says it conducted 1,887 aerial surveillance and monitoring missions, including 791 strikes in southern, central and eastern Mali. More than 65 additional strikes were recorded between 1 and 20 October. Colonel-Major Maïga said the operations aimed to preserve the country’s territorial integrity and enable the state to exercise its authority across the entire territory.
The figures come after the FAMa, supported by Africa Corps, retook Kidal on 6 October. In early July, the army had also said it repelled attacks on several localities, including Aguel-Hoc, Anéfis and Gao. The press briefing comes amid a series of Malian strikes reported in recent days, notably near Ménaka and Douentza and at Talhandak and Ménaka.
