Mali says 82 of its soldiers held prisoner since April have been freed
The army said the freed soldiers are safe and being cared for as Mali faces continued attacks by JNIM and separatist fighters.
- On Thursday, separatists in northern Mali released 82 soldiers held captive since coordinated attacks in April, according to the Malian Armed Forces and Azawad Liberation Front spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane.
- JNIM and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on April 25 that targeted Bamako, Kati, and northern cities, during which soldiers were captured and the defence minister was killed.
- While the Malian Armed Forces reported, "Freed soldiers are now safe and being cared for by the relevant authorities," Ramadane confirmed the release was on humanitarian grounds, though 118 Malian soldiers remain captive.
- Junta leader Assimi Goita granted a presidential pardon to a French embassy official accused of spying and ordered his immediate expulsion from Mali to Paris.
- Mali's military government faces a persistent Islamist insurgency since 2012, having expelled United Nations and French forces after coups in 2020 and 2021 to turn toward Russian military support.
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48 Articles
Eighty-two Malian soldiers who had been held captive by jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and their allies in the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) have been released. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 13, by the Malian army's general staff before being confirmed by the FLA in a statement. These soldiers had been taken prisoner during clashes between the Malian army and these armed groups in various par…
Mali frees 82 soldiers held by militants, pardons French embassy official
Mali says 82 soldiers held captive since deadly attacks in April have been freed by armed groups, in a rare breakthrough as the country battles jihadist and rebel insurgencies. The junta also pardoned a French embassy official accused of spying and ordered his expulsion.
The security situation in West African Mali is unstable. According to the army, 82 soldiers were released from the detention of an Islamist terrorist group.
LancasterOnline
Independent EspañolBAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Northern Mali separatists released 82 soldiers, including some captured during a nationwide attack on government forces in April, the Malian army and a rebel spokesman reported Thursday.
Associated Press News
Mali separatists release 82 soldiers, including some held since a major attack in April
Separatists in northern Mali have released 82 soldiers, including some captured during a nationwide attack on government forces in April.
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