The Malian Armed Forces neutralised approximately 100 terrorists during operations conducted on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, in the areas of Anefis and Tabrichat in northern Mali, the country's military authorities confirmed on Thursday. The operations targeted armed groups affiliated with the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Azawad Liberation Front.

Key Developments

According to a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Wednesday's operations involved 13 airstrikes, destroying six combat vehicles and one pickup truck. The military said it was acting in coordination with its partners, without specifying which forces were involved.

This follows an even larger operation on Monday, 7 July, in which more than 200 terrorists were reportedly neutralised during coordinated air and ground operations in Anefis, in the northern Kidal region. That operation involved 35 airstrikes and resulted in the destruction of five armoured vehicles, around 20 pickup trucks, and approximately 100 motorcycles, according to the General Staff.

What Triggered the Operations

The military surge follows a wave of attacks on 4 July targeting multiple localities across Mali, including Aguelhok, Anefis, Gao, Sévaré, and Kenioroba. The Malian army said it repelled those attacks. The current operations appear to be a sustained counter-offensive in response to that coordinated assault.

Notably, this is not the first time Anefis has been a flashpoint — the town sits in the historically contested Kidal region, long a stronghold for armed separatist and jihadist groups. The back-to-back operations suggest a deliberate military push to reassert control over the area.

Security Context

Mali has endured a deeply volatile security environment for over a decade, with armed group activity concentrated in the northern and central regions. The situation has intensified in recent months. In April 2025, the country's Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack on his residence in Kati, a town near the capital Bamako, carried out by armed terrorist groups — a stark illustration of how far the threat has penetrated beyond traditional conflict zones.

The General Staff reaffirmed the army's determination to pursue operations against armed terrorist groups across the national territory until its stated objectives are achieved.

What Comes Next

With operations described as ongoing in Anefis, further military action in the Kidal region appears imminent. Analysts will be watching whether the scale of the current offensive signals a broader strategic shift by the Malian military and its partners, or remains a reactive surge tied to the July 4 attacks. The cumulative toll — over 300 terrorists reportedly neutralised across Monday and Wednesday's operations combined — marks one of the most intensive stretches of military activity in northern Mali in recent months.