At MaliThe Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP) fighters completely withdrew from Léré between 2 and 3 a.m. this morning after combing the city. This is indicated by one of their spokesmen, who states that this withdrawal is intended to prevent possible bombing attacks by the Malian army. The withdrawal of CSP fighters from the city of Léré is confirmed by several local civilian sources. There is currently calm in the city.
No report was sent by either the CSP or the Malian Army, which communicated last night and morning of September 18th denouncing an “attack by evil forces on the Léré military camp” and ensuring that they “defend their positions.” was mobilized “and to protect the safety of the population”
On Sunday afternoon, the CSP stormed the town of Léré and took control of the town’s military camp “after two hours of fighting,” according to the armed rebel groups, who also claim, according to images, to have shot down a Malian army plane. Local civilian and security sources confirmed that the CSP had captured the Malian military camp. So before you leave the premises.
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On September 12, the Malian Armed Forces (Fama) base in Bourem, Gao region, was attacked by the CSP. The rebels had already launched a rapid attack before retreating. Both camps had mentioned dozens of deaths, but no reliable and independent number could be determined. The CSP subsequently released video of a Malian soldier who was filmed in the attack and has been held captive since then.
The CSP views its recent operations as “self-defense” and accuses the Malian army and its Russian proxies from the Wagner Group of having repeatedly violated the 2015 peace agreement and the current ceasefire in recent months.
The Malian transitional authorities have repeatedly denounced “terrorist attacks” in recent weeks. On September 16, they founded the “Alliance of the Sahel States” with the neighboring states of Niger and Burkina Faso, which envisages expanded cooperation to combat the risk of terrorism, but also “any attacks on the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of these three countries.
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We still do not know what specific military means will be mobilized by the Malian, Burkinabe and Nigerian states, all led by regimes that emerged from military coups and are waging a difficult counter-terrorism fight against the jihadist groups of Jnim – the support group for – lead Islam and Muslims – linked to Aqmi and the Islamic State.
The press release issued yesterday by the Malian General Staff said that “in recent weeks,” “thanks to our brave army, security in the country has improved and the terrorist threat has significantly reduced.”
Officially, neither the Malian state nor the signatory northern armed groups have withdrawn from the 2015 peace agreement, which is being broken up locally. Each new confrontation seems to further eliminate any prospect of reversal. The international mediation to monitor the peace agreement, led by Algeria and weakened by the end of Minusma in Mali – the UN mission played a central role – has not been officially communicated since June last year.
Attacks by groups that signed the 2015 peace deal may continue. They are in addition to those of the Jnim jihadists. Jnim, which is linked to Aqmi, has been imposing a blockade on the city of Timbuktu for more than a month and claimed responsibility for the attacks on the Bamba military camp and the boat “Timbuktu” about ten days ago. There were at least 64 deaths, according to a preliminary official report – the only one shared by authorities – and more than a hundred, according to numerous local civil and security sources.