On April 22, 2025, around 1am, the Malian army carried out two drone strikes at Talahandak, in Azawad near the Algerian border. The Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones targeted three civilian vehicles in Talhadakt, and tragically claimed the lives of Akli Ag Alamine and a small child, both from the Tassik sector. As well as injuries to another elderly person.
Later on Fama issued one of their usual press releases where they claimed to have successfully neutralized “terrorists”. The Fama press release states that 15 “armed terrorists” were targeted and neutralized. While in reality it was a a father and his grandson. a 70-year-old man and five other civilians who got severely injured.
Sentencing civilians to death solely because they use Toyota pickup trucks, an essential means of getting around in these regions devoid of decent roads, reveals a blatant lack of discernment.
This attitude confirms the constant disinterest of the Malian junta and its predecessors in the well-being of the inhabitants of the north, perceived as foreigners. The accusation of terrorism against the Tuaregs has always been a pretext to justify their marginalization, the rise in visibility and finally the seizure of power.
Ag Rhissa
The press release was of course denied since it´s a blatant lie.
Denial of Fama’s statement on the strike in Talahandak.
We wish to clarify the tragic events that occurred in Talahandak. Contrary to the information relayed in the Fama statement, no terrorists were killed in the drone strikes. The victims were innocent civilians, members of the Chodi community, including a father and his grandson who were simply sleeping at home.
On the night of April 21-22, strikes carried out by the Malian army in collaboration with foreign mercenaries caused the death of these two innocent people and serious injuries to five others. Among the victims, Mahamad Ag Atossen, a 70-year-old man, certainly did not pose a threat.
We also deplore the burning of three transport vehicles. These vehicles belonged to Mina Ag Khamdine, Itna, and Mehdi Ag Kissi, all close to General Alhaji AG Amou. We call for fact-checking and awareness of the reality of the human consequences of military operations. The suffering of civilians must not be reduced to statistics.
Lamine Sahel @in the news
The Fama press release translated from french to english:
The use of intelligence of military interest made it possible to track and confirm the movements of several terrorist vehicles in the Talhandak sector, located 82 km northeast of Tessal in the Kidal region, throughout the day and evening of April 21, 2025.
Numerous surveillance confirmed the hostile attitude of three terrorist targets. During the night of April 21-22, 2025, a series of operations neutralized major armed terrorist groups. The first salvos destroyed two vehicles and approximately ten terrorist fighters.
The third salvo targeted and neutralized a third vehicle, a fuel depot, and five terrorist fighters. The blasts and resulting fires confirm the presence of significant terrorist targets.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces commends the professionalism of the personnel involved. He calls on the population to continue to stand apart from terrorists. The FAMa will resolutely pursue their noble mission of defending territorial integrity, protecting people, and ensuring the safety of citizens throughout the national territory.
United, we will win.
Liars!
Azawad Support Group
23-04-25
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