Mali: 4,880 terrorist fighters neutralized in nearly six months, according to the army

The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) claim to have neutralized 4,880 fighters from armed terrorist groups between May and October 20, 2026. Over the same period, they declare having destroyed more than 162 bases, 315 pickup trucks and 1,300 motorcycles, according to the report presented on Friday, October 23 by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (DIRPA).

During this press briefing, the director of the DIRPA, Colonel-Major Bakary Bocar Maïga, also reported 1,887 aerial surveillance and monitoring missions carried out between May and September, including 791 strikes in the southern, central, and eastern theaters of operation. More than 65 additional strikes were reportedly conducted between October 1st and 20th.

Speaking about the situation in Kidal, the military official indicated that the reinforcement of the FAMa deployment in the city and its surroundings is part of Operation Dougoukoloko, in accordance with the operational order "Cram-Cram".

The army is also continuing to escort convoys of goods and fuel. It announced that it had accompanied 2,556 tankers during three operations organized in September.

In terms of personnel, 548 non-commissioned officer trainees completed their training at the Banankoro Non-Commissioned Officer School, while 2,700 new recruits joined the ranks after their initial training.

At the end of this meeting, DIRPA called on media professionals to relay security instructions to the population in order to contribute to efforts to protect people and property throughout Mali.

Djamila Kambou