Mali’s army announced the arrest of two individuals on Saturday, including a senior figure in the Sahel branch of an international militant group. The operation, conducted in the northern regions of the country, also resulted in the deaths of several fighters associated with the group.
In a statement, the army identified one of the detainees as Mahamad Ould Erkehile, known as Abu Rakia, and the other as Abu Hash, a prominent leader accused of orchestrating atrocities in the Menaka and Gao regions. The two are also linked to attacks targeting Malian military forces.
Mali has experienced ongoing unrest since 2012, driven by militant activities and local criminal networks. The country’s military leadership, which has severed ties with former colonial power France, now relies on Russia for military and political support.