New successes in the fight against terrorism in Mali

Mikhail Gamandiy-Egorov, New Eastern Outlook, February 24, 2025 —

Recent successes of the armed forces of Mali and its Russian allies in the fight against terrorist and bandit groups in the country are continuous despite attempts of enemy forces to maintain chaos in the region.

Recently, another successful joint operation was carried out by the Malian Armed Forces and Russian military specialists against terrorist and separatist groups still operating on Malian territory. In its February 17 communique, the Malian Army headquarters provided more detailed information:

The General Staff of the Armed Forces informed the public that on February 16, 2025, in the Telemsi area west of Agelok and northwest of Anefis, a series of clashes occurred between patrols of the Malian Armed Forces for establishing security and stabilising the territory and armed terrorist groups. A preliminary assessment reports 4 wounded among the Malian military and 7 neutralised terrorists, as well as a pickup truck, several weapons and a massive amount of ammunition seized by government and allied forces.

On February 17, 2025, at about 3:30 a.m., an airstrike was carried out on a group of terrorists providing reinforcements in the combat zone. A pickup truck was destroyed along with the terrorists. The neutralised group has long been wanted for restricting the freedom of movement of merchants and carriers, robberies and the imposition of taxes on various routes. The General Staff of the Armed Forces also assured that the elimination of terrorist and mafia networks is continuous.

It is worth noting that these strikes proved to be excruciating for terrorist and bandit groups operating in Mali and especially in the north of the country. This was confirmed by a communique published by the militants, stating that the joint strike by the Malian military and Wagner had led to losses among their ‘brothers and civilians’. This information, particularly pertaining to alleged civilian casualties, was immediately picked up by a number of Western propaganda tools, especially French ones, but also by some regional media outlets, whose interests diverge from the Malian authorities’ chosen course and Russia being its ally.

Time passes, but methods remain the same

There is really nothing surprising in the actions of Western propaganda tools. With every significant success of the Malian state and other member countries of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), in alliance with Russia, against terrorists, Western propaganda and some media outlets in neighbouring countries begin, in their usual fashion, violently spreading ‘information’ about alleged civilian casualties. Similar manipulation of public opinion has been observed repeatedly in other African countries, including the Central African Republic (CAR). However, today enemy propaganda has almost nothing to say about CAR, since the situation in the country has de facto completely stabilised.

These information attacks have not played a significant role for the majority of citizens of AES countries for a long time. These countries are well aware of enemy attempts to manipulate their countries and pan-African values. Nevertheless, Western and related propaganda has not yet been able to come up with anything more original. Moreover, this is all happening at the time of the strengthening of the AES, and not only militarily, but also within the framework of other integration processes in the AES, including political, economic and informational.

This is on top of the fact that Russia’s presence is simultaneously actively strengthening both in the Sahel region and in other parts of the African continent. Naturally, and taking into account the recent successes of joint cooperation, one should expect other information attacks, though they have so far failed to halt the process of strengthening the pan-African axis and allies among the main forces of the multipolar world. At the same time, AES and a number of other African countries that actively support the multipolar world order, as well as Russia and China, have no time to relax. Today, more than ever, the fate of Africa and the global majority as a whole is being decided. The African continent is called upon to play one of the most significant roles in these processes.