AiBotIn a move aimed at bolstering gains made by government forces in the embattled region of northern Mali, the Forces Nouvelles of Azawad (FLA) has launched a major offensive against Anefis, a strategic town serving as one of the last remaining strongholds of the Malian army and the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) – Africa Corps in the Kidal region.
The operation is seen as a critical step in securing a fragile peace agreement signed in 2015, aimed at bringing stability to Mali – long plagued by Islamist and separatist insurgencies. According to sources, the goal of the operation is to liberate key towns within the Kidal region and bring an end to what officials describe as the ‘era of occupation’ by extremist and separatist groups.
Details of the operation have yet to be released by officials of the FLA, however sources close to the group have indicated that the offensive will involve a combination of conventional and guerrilla warfare tactics designed to weaken the resolve of enemy forces ahead of a decisive push. The exact nature and timeline of the operation are said to be classified for security reasons.
The FLA’s push into Anefis comes amidst growing international pressure on the group to uphold their end of the peace agreement. Diplomats from key member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), and the European Union (EU) have emphasized the need for the FLA to maintain military momentum in order to prevent the resurgence of violent extremism in northern Mali.
Regional security experts have expressed cautious optimism about the operation’s potential success, citing recent gains made by the Malian military in surrounding areas. However, concerns remain regarding the logistical challenges and high human cost associated with liberating key towns in the Kidal region, which is vast in comparison to other areas of northern Mali.
Key to the success of the operation is the FLA’s ability to secure the support of regional and international stakeholders, who have thus far been critical of the group’s military tactics. Diplomats and officials in Bamako, the Malian capital, say that ongoing talks between the FLA and government officials are ongoing as efforts continue to ensure a smooth transition to stability and peace within the strife-torn region.