Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Joint Operation Kills Islamic State Commander

Mali’s military government has announced the successful elimination of a high-ranking Islamic State commander, Abu Huzeifa, during a collaborative operation with Burkina Faso and Niger. Huzeifa, who carried a $5 million bounty on his head, stood accused of orchestrating numerous high-profile attacks across Africa’s Sahel region, including the tragic killing of four Nigerien and four U.S. soldiers.

According to Malian authorities, the operation leading to Huzeifa’s demise took place in the northern region of Menaka. The Moroccan-born commander was sought for his involvement in acts of terrorism, resulting in civilian and security personnel casualties, notably the 2017 incident in Niger where four Nigerien and four American soldiers lost their lives.

Also Read: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Announce Joint Force to Combat Jihadist Threat

This operation follows the recent establishment of a joint force comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, aimed at combating insurgent groups terrorising the West African nations. The proliferation of attacks by Islamic State and al-Qaida affiliates has inflicted immense suffering, claiming thousands of lives and displacing over half a million individuals from their homes in the Sahel region. These groups are also accused of perpetrating human rights abuses against the populace residing in areas under their control.

In a parallel to the situations in Burkina Faso and Niger, Mali witnessed a military coup ousting the civilian-led government, citing its failure to effectively counter jihadist threats. This development coincided with Mali’s directive for French troops to withdraw from the country in 2022 and the closure of the U.N. mission last year. Subsequently, Mali forged closer ties with the Russian government and the Wagner mercenary group.

With the elimination of the IS commander, concerns have been raised by regional experts regarding the likelihood of the military relinquishing power to a civilian administration. Mali’s state television reported the operation’s success, highlighting it as a significant triumph over a prominent terrorist figure. Abu Huzeifa, also known as Higgo, was identified as a Moroccan national and a commander within IS’s self-proclaimed Sahel Province.

The operation’s culmination in the town of Indelimane, Menaka region, is lauded as a decisive blow against malevolent forces.