Mali’s AES Joint Forces Conduct Precision Airstrikes on Terrorist Targets in Border Region
Strategic operations target terrorist gatherings and illegal mining operations in coordinated security push
Caption: The Tabankort region near Mali’s border with Niger has become a focal point for counter-terrorism operations.
Coordinated Strikes Disrupt Terrorist Operations
The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), operating under the AES Unified Force framework, conducted targeted airstrikes on November 18, 2025, successfully neutralizing terrorist elements in two separate operations that demonstrate growing regional security coordination.
According to an official statement from the Armed Forces General Staff, the first operation targeted a confirmed gathering of terrorists with significant logistical support in Tabankort, located just 8 kilometers from the Mali-Niger border. The precision strike resulted in the destruction of several terrorists and their equipment.
Dual-Front Strategy Against Terrorism and Illicit Financing
In a simultaneous operation the same day, FAMa air assets engaged two terrorist vehicles at the illegal gold mining site in Intilit, located in the Gao region. Military intelligence had confirmed the presence of armed terrorist groups violating the ban on gold mining operations, highlighting the strategic connection between illicit mining and terrorist financing.
The Armed Forces General Staff reiterated that all illegal gold mining activities remain strictly prohibited in the region, with surveillance and control missions being intensified to ensure compliance with these directives.
Regional Security Implications
These coordinated strikes represent a significant development in the evolving security architecture of the Sahel region. The operations demonstrate the operational capacity of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) Unified Force, which brings together military assets from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in a collective security arrangement.
The successful intelligence-air asset coordination praised by the General Staff suggests growing sophistication in the region’s counter-terrorism capabilities. The targeting of both terrorist gatherings and their funding sources through illegal mining operations indicates a comprehensive approach to security challenges.
Strategic Context and Future Outlook
The Tabankort operation’s proximity to the Niger border underscores the transnational nature of the terrorist threat in the Sahel and the necessity for cross-border military cooperation. Meanwhile, the Intilit strike demonstrates recognition that combating terrorism requires addressing the economic networks that sustain these groups.
As the AES nations continue to develop their joint operational capabilities, these successful strikes may signal a new phase in regional security cooperation, with potential implications for the broader counter-terrorism landscape in West Africa.
Source: This report is based on official communications from the Malian Armed Forces General Staff. Original reporting available at: Bamada.net