The Malian military announced the capture of a senior leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and the deaths of several of the group’s fighters in a northern operation conducted on Friday.
The army identified the arrested leader as Mahamad Ould Erkehile, also known as Abou Rakia and recently Abou Hach. Military officials described him as a “high-ranking figure within ISGS, responsible for organizing and coordinating numerous atrocities against civilians in the Menaka and Gao regions, as well as orchestrating attacks on Malian Armed Forces (FAMa).”
“Abou Hach has been a long-sought target of intelligence services due to his central role in the region’s most heinous acts of violence and abuses,” the army said in a statement issued Saturday night.
Troops in the Gao region carried out the operation, neutralizing several ISGS fighters and seizing significant military equipment. Among the recovered materials were tools used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to the statement.
Mali has faced ongoing violence from terrorist groups affiliated with both Al-Qaeda and ISIS since 2012. These groups have been responsible for a surge in attacks against security forces and civilians, exacerbating instability in the country.
The recent operation marks a significant development in the fight against terrorism in Mali, as the country continues its efforts to reclaim security and stability in the Sahel region.