Thirty jihadists were killed by the French army on Thursday in the region of Mopti, in central Mali, two days after the “neutralization” of a senior official linked to Al-Qaeda, the state announced on Friday evening. major of the French armies.
“About thirty members of a GAT (armed terrorist group) belonging to the RVIM (Rally for the victory of Islam and Muslims, also called GSIM, Editor’s note) were neutralized” during an air and helicopter operation of the Barkhane force, indicated the spokesperson for the staff, Colonel Frédéric Barbry.
They were the target “of Mirage 2000 airstrikes, Tiger helicopter fire and mountain commandos”, he added.
Strikes followed by fighting on the ground
France had already announced Friday morning the “neutralization” in Mali by its Barkhane force of Bah Ag Moussa, described as the “military leader” of the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), linked to Al-Qaeda.
After the spotting of a suspect encampment near Niaki, 180 kilometers east of Mopti, four Mirage 2000s took off from the Niamey air base, the army staff said in a statement.
Four Tiger gunships and three Caimans transporting troops were also dispatched with mountain commandos on board.
After the first Mirage strikes on the camp, the commandos, supported by fighter planes and helicopters, carried out “a ground combat of about an hour,” said Colonel Barbry. About 20 motorcycles and weapons were also seized and destroyed.
Original article by : www.leparisien.fr
