Chimam, Mali – June 28, 2025

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel, Malian Armed Forces—supported by local allies from the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA)—conducted a high-precision military operation that resulted in the elimination of a top foreign commander of the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the Menaka region of northeastern Mali.

The operation, carried out on June 28 in the Chimam area near the Nigerien border, targeted and neutralized the militant known as “Abu Dahdah,” a figure described by regional security officials as a senior ideologue within IS ranks. Abu Dahdah was reportedly a foreign national and served as an expert in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide bombing tactics. Intelligence sources link him directly to the recent deadly assault on the village of Banibango in Niger, which claimed several civilian lives and reignited security concerns across the border.

The joint force operation not only eliminated Abu Dahdah but also led to the deaths of several other militants. A cache of weapons and ammunition was seized during the raid, disrupting the group’s ability to conduct further attacks in the area.

Security analysts note that the success of this mission represents a significant setback for IS-affiliated cells operating across the Menaka-Gao corridor, a region long plagued by extremist violence, illicit trafficking, and weak governance. The operation also underscores the growing effectiveness of localized counterterrorism partnerships, especially the cooperation between the Malian state and regional self-defense groups such as the MSA.

The Movement for the Salvation of Azawad, a Tuareg-led militia operating mainly in the north of Mali, has increasingly aligned itself with national forces to combat transnational threats. Their participation in this operation reflects a shifting security strategy in Mali, where government forces, in the absence of certain international military missions, have turned to regional alliances to secure territorial integrity.

This recent action marks a rare and publicized success amid ongoing security challenges facing the Sahel. Countries across the region, including Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, continue to grapple with extremist violence that has displaced millions and claimed thousands of lives over the past decade.

As Mali continues its path toward stabilizing the north and reclaiming control over key territories, the elimination of Abu Dahdah may signal a turning point in the struggle to dismantle extremist networks rooted in the tri-border area.

Authorities in both Mali and Niger are expected to heighten surveillance and security coordination in the coming weeks to preempt retaliatory attacks and to consolidate the gains made by this latest offensive.


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