Mali
Anti-Jihadist Operation in Mali
Reports on the death by troops from the French-led Barkhane force military operation of Bah Ag Moussa, described as the military commander of the Al-Qaeda-aligned Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) in the Malian desert who had been on a United Nations sanctions list and was believed responsible for numerous jihadist terrorist attacks on Malian and international ally forces in the region.
Friday’s announcement marks the conclusion to an operation launched Tuesday in a series of anti-jihadist action taken in recent weeks.
Regional Context
France has thousands of troops in West Africa to help fight jihadist around the area. The ousting of Islamist extremist groups from power in Mali by way of a military operation in 2013 saw a regrouping of jihadist forces in the dessert who have since wreaked terror and havoc in the region.
01:14
Mali’s information war is increasingly being shaped by AI
01:26
Thousands rally to back Niger authorities after thwarted mutiny
Go to video
Nigeria confirms planned withdrawal of US troops sent to help tackle insecurity crisis
01:43
Dozens of soldiers arrested in Niger after attempted mutiny
01:01
Reports of gunfire near military base in Niger's capital
01:11
Nigerian armed groups raise nearly $6 Million in ransoms, study finds