Africanews

Alliance of Sahel States confirms joint airstrikes in Mali

almayadeen.net

Alliance Of Sahel States Responds To Kidal Attack Amid Mali

WIONews

Facebook

1304923678241121

Guardian

Taking power in Mali might be a stretch but insurgents can force hand of weakened regime

Chatham House

Mali Attacks Show Security Cannot Be Delivered Military Means Alone

Al Jazeera

Militarising the Sahel will not defeat terrorism

Metaculus

Which of these nations will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040?

Alarabiya News

Mali Extremists Call For United Front Begin Bamako Blockade

20260501 Rebels Take Key Military Camp In Mali North

Channel Africa

Sahel alliance launches airstrikes after Mali attacks  Channel Africa

FOX News

Major blow to Putin in Africa as Russian forces driven from Mali stronghold by separatists, jihadists

Africa Defense Forum

Malian Insurgents Attack with Drones

Mali military leader Goita emerges as Russia declares it halted coup

Wionews

Mali Crisis Sahel Forces Launch Airstrikes Junta Led Nations Unite Against Militants 1777627796922

Seneweb

Mali: Army airstrikes in Kidal, under the control of Tuareg...

France 24

20260501 Common Enemy But Not Common Project Fragile Jihadist Separatist Alliance In Mali

Apa News

Sahel Alliance Condemns Planned Attacks On Mali

BBC News

Mali attacks: What next for the junta after shock of rebel offensive?

Terrorists attempted to overthrow Mali’s government – official — RT Africa

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, conducted airstrikes in northern Mali following <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/mali-hit-by-largest-coordinated-jihadist-attack-in-years">coordinated attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militants and Tuareg separatists</a> on Saturday, striking multiple locations, including Gao, Menaka and Kidal.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, conducted airstrikes in northern Mali following coordinated attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militants and Tuareg separatists on Saturday, striking multiple locations, including Gao, Menaka and Kidal.

Niger's government confirmed the airstrikes following a cabinet meeting, welcoming what it called the "prompt and vigorous response" following the "cowardly attacks." The unified regional force was initially formed with 5,000 troops and expanded to 15,000 in mid-April 2026.

Niger's government confirmed the airstrikes following a cabinet meeting, welcoming what it called the "prompt and vigorous response" following the "cowardly attacks." The unified regional force was initially formed with 5,000 troops and expanded to 15,000 in mid-April 2026.

The weekend offensive, described as the largest assault on Mali in nearly 15 years, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/mali-minister-killed-as-militants-storm-bamako">resulted in the death of Defence Minister Sadio Camara</a> and the capture of the northern city of Kidal by the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) fighters.

TRT Afrika

The weekend offensive, described as the largest assault on Mali in nearly 15 years, resulted in the death of Defence Minister Sadio Camara and the capture of the northern city of Kidal by the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) fighters.

AES chairman and Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traoré issued a statement describing the April 25 attacks as bearing the "hallmarks of long-planned actions." Burkina Faso's Defence Minister Célestin Simporé, speaking on behalf of the AES at Camara's funeral, vowed to "hunt down" the perpetrators.

AES chairman and Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traoré issued a statement describing the April 25 attacks as bearing the "hallmarks of long-planned actions." Burkina Faso's Defence Minister Célestin Simporé, speaking on behalf of the AES at Camara's funeral, vowed to "hunt down" the perpetrators.

Russian forces, deployed in Mali to support the military government, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/russia-defends-mali-presence-amid-rebel-surge">withdrew from Kidal following the offensive</a>. Russia's Africa Corps stated it faced fighters outnumbering them "by a ratio of 6 to 1," with claims of between 10,000 and 12,000 rebel and Islamist fighters involved in the attacks.

Russian forces, deployed in Mali to support the military government, withdrew from Kidal following the offensive. Russia's Africa Corps stated it faced fighters outnumbering them "by a ratio of 6 to 1," with claims of between 10,000 and 12,000 rebel and Islamist fighters involved in the attacks.

The FLA, which includes Tuareg, Fulani and Arab communities, claims its campaign responds to recent Malian airstrikes in Kidal, accusing the army of targeting civilian areas. The group says it struck Malian and Russian forces seven times in March 2026, as fighting intensifies across the north.

The FLA, which includes Tuareg, Fulani and Arab communities, claims its campaign responds to recent Malian airstrikes in Kidal, accusing the army of targeting civilian areas. The group says it struck Malian and Russian forces seven times in March 2026, as fighting intensifies across the north.

Africanews #

almayadeen.net #

Facebook #

Guardian #

Chatham House #

Al Jazeera #8270

Metaculus #

Alarabiya News #

RFI #

Channel Africa #

FOX News #4986

Africa Defense Forum #

Al Jazeera #3570

Wionews #

Seneweb #

France 24 #

Apa News #

BBC News #

RT #2898

The joint anti-jihadist force of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali conducted airstrikes in northern Mali after coordinated attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militants and Tuareg separatists on April 25, 2026, struck multiple locations including Gao, Menaka and Kidal.

The joint anti-jihadist force of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali conducted airstrikes in northern Mali after coordinated attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militants and Tuareg separatists on April 25, 2026, struck multiple locations including Gao, Menaka and Kidal.

Niger's government confirmed the airstrikes following a cabinet meeting, welcoming what it called the "prompt and vigorous response" of the unified force. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) joint force was initially formed with 5,000 troops and expanded to 15,000 in mid-April 2026.

Niger's government confirmed the airstrikes following a cabinet meeting, welcoming what it called the "prompt and vigorous response" of the unified force. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) joint force was initially formed with 5,000 troops and expanded to 15,000 in mid-April 2026.

The weekend offensive, described as the largest assault on Mali in nearly 15 years, resulted in the death of Defence Minister Sadio Camara and the capture of the northern city of Kidal by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and JNIM fighters.

The weekend offensive, described as the largest assault on Mali in nearly 15 years, resulted in the death of Defence Minister Sadio Camara and the capture of the northern city of Kidal by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and JNIM fighters.

The AES, led by Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traore, issued a statement describing the April 25 attacks as bearing the hallmarks of long-planned actions. Burkina Faso's Defence Minister Celestin Simpore, speaking on behalf of the AES at Camara's funeral, vowed to "hunt down" the perpetrators.

The AES, led by Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traore, issued a statement describing the April 25 attacks as bearing the hallmarks of long-planned actions. Burkina Faso's Defence Minister Celestin Simpore, speaking on behalf of the AES at Camara's funeral, vowed to "hunt down" the perpetrators.

Russian forces, deployed in Mali to support the military government, withdrew from Kidal following the offensive. Russia's Africa Corps stated it faced fighters outnumbering them by a ratio of 6 to 1, with claims of between 10,000 and 12,000 fighters involved in the attacks.

Russian forces, deployed in Mali to support the military government, withdrew from Kidal following the offensive. Russia's Africa Corps stated it faced fighters outnumbering them by a ratio of 6 to 1, with claims of between 10,000 and 12,000 fighters involved in the attacks.

The FLA, which includes Tuareg, Fulani and Arab communities, has increasingly used armed drones in its operations, including a Chinese-made Flydragon FDG410 drone that downed a Malian Army helicopter in February 2025. The group claims to have struck Malian and Russian forces seven times during March 2026.

The FLA, which includes Tuareg, Fulani and Arab communities, has increasingly used armed drones in its operations, including a Chinese-made Flydragon FDG410 drone that downed a Malian Army helicopter in February 2025. The group claims to have struck Malian and Russian forces seven times during March 2026.

The AES joint force struck back hard after the April 25 attacks, launching intense air campaigns across Gao, Menaka and Kidal to defend Malian sovereignty. These coordinated assaults bear the hallmarks of a long-planned plot to destabilize the region and crush the AES independence movement. The Sahel alliance's unified military response proves that Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali stand as one against any force trying to break them apart.

The AES joint force struck back hard after the April 25 attacks, launching intense air campaigns across Gao, Menaka and Kidal to defend Malian sovereignty. These coordinated assaults bear the hallmarks of a long-planned plot to destabilize the region and crush the AES independence movement. The Sahel alliance's unified military response proves that Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali stand as one against any force trying to break them apart.

Russian mercenaries and Malian junta forces are crumbling under rebel pressure, with troops surrendering at Kidal, Tessalit and beyond. JNIM and Tuareg separatists have exposed Russia's Africa Corps as overmatched and unprepared, outnumbered 6-to-1 while failing to protect the very cities they were paid to defend. The junta's security model has collapsed, and a blockade on Bamako now threatens to strangle Mali's economy entirely.

Russian mercenaries and Malian junta forces are crumbling under rebel pressure, with troops surrendering at Kidal, Tessalit and beyond. JNIM and Tuareg separatists have exposed Russia's Africa Corps as overmatched and unprepared, outnumbered 6-to-1 while failing to protect the very cities they were paid to defend. The junta's security model has collapsed, and a blockade on Bamako now threatens to strangle Mali's economy entirely.

West Africa: Coups, Jihadism and Geopolitical Competition

Sahel Alliance Strikes Back After Mali's Worst Attack in 15 Years

Mali

Africa

Niger

Burkina Faso

Russian mercenaries and Malian junta forces are crumbling under rebel pressure, with troops surrendering at Kidal, Tessalit and beyond. JNIM and Tuareg separatists have exposed Russia’s Africa Corps as overmatched and unprepared, outnumbered 6-to-1 while failing to secure key cities. After pushing out France, the AES bloc is proving too weak to deliver stability or peace. The junta’s security model is unraveling, and a blockade on Bamako now threatens to choke Mali’s economy.

Russian mercenaries and Malian junta forces are crumbling under rebel pressure, with troops surrendering at Kidal, Tessalit and beyond. JNIM and Tuareg separatists have exposed Russia’s Africa Corps as overmatched and unprepared, outnumbered 6-to-1 while failing to secure key cities. After pushing out France, the AES bloc is proving too weak to deliver stability or peace. The junta’s security model is unraveling, and a blockade on Bamako now threatens to choke Mali’s economy.

The AES joint force struck back hard after the April 25 attacks, launching intense air campaigns across Gao, Menaka and Kidal to defend Malian sovereignty. These coordinated assaults bear the hallmarks of a long-planned plot to destabilize the region, with France pulling the strings behind rebel and jihadist groups to undermine the AES independence push. The Sahel alliance’s unified response shows that Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali stand as one against efforts to break them apart.

The AES joint force struck back hard after the April 25 attacks, launching intense air campaigns across Gao, Menaka and Kidal to defend Malian sovereignty. These coordinated assaults bear the hallmarks of a long-planned plot to destabilize the region, with France pulling the strings behind rebel and jihadist groups to undermine the AES independence push. The Sahel alliance’s unified response shows that Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali stand as one against efforts to break them apart.

Militarising the Sahel is not defeating terrorism — it is entrenching it. Repeated offensives across Mali have failed to deliver lasting security, as insurgent groups adapt, regroup and expand. The latest attacks reinforce a clear pattern: military-first strategies displace violence while governance gaps and local grievances remain unaddressed. Without political solutions and credible state presence, each operation risks prolonging the cycle it claims to end.

Militarising the Sahel is not defeating terrorism — it is entrenching it. Repeated offensives across Mali have failed to deliver lasting security, as insurgent groups adapt, regroup and expand. The latest attacks reinforce a clear pattern: military-first strategies displace violence while governance gaps and local grievances remain unaddressed. Without political solutions and credible state presence, each operation risks prolonging the cycle it claims to end.

There is a 63% chance that there will be a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 63% chance that there will be a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Sahel Alliance Confirms Joint Airstrikes in Mali

Sahel Alliance StrikesConfirms BackJoint AfterAirstrikes Mali's Worst Attack in 15 YearsMali

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Go Deeper