Fama camps in Mondoro and Boulikessi attacked on Saturday night
(B2) Two camps of the Malian armed forces (FAMa), both located on the border between Mali and Burkina Faso (the G5 Sahel post at Boulikessi and the FAMa camp at Mondoro), were attacked on the night of 23 to January 24. Complex and simultaneous attacks by unidentified terrorist armed groups around 3:30 a.m.
The information came from the French army headquarters as well as the Malian armed forces this Sunday (24.01/XNUMX).
Tiger helicopters and two Mirage in support
The FAMa have “ immediately took the lead over their opponent and held their position supported in particular by their Tucano », an A-29 type light attack aircraft, says the French army general staff. But that wasn't enough. Operation Barkhane then triggered a Tiger helicopter patrol, “ in order to support the FAMa ". " Less than an hour after the alert they were there. The Tigers have quickly "started the fight on a " enemy column in Boulikessi, neutralizing a dozen GAT [armed terrorist groups] on motorcycles ". At the same time, a Mirage 2000 patrol flew over the two rights-of-way. It was only in the early morning that the enemy " disbanded in the words of the military themselves.
Around thirty attackers killed
In total, in Boulikessi, these are " several dozen GATs that have been neutralized ". Exactly thirty, specifies the FAMa. 2 pick-ups and 5 'enemy' motorbikes were also destroyed and 40 other motorbikes were seized. In Mondoro, the balance sheet remains “ to consolidate ". One figure is known: the seizure of seven motorcycles.
Several wounded in the fighting
On the FAMa side, the toll is harsh: 4 dead and 12 injured in Boulikessi, 2 dead and 6 injured in Mondoro. A vehicle and a machine gun destroyed. A medical evacuation was triggered in a combined manner by Operation Barkhane and Minusma. Among the wounded at Boulekessi, the Barkhane Force took care of two wounded. The others were taken into account by MINUSMa or by the FAMa. Stabilized at the Gossi resuscitation and rescue surgery unit (ARCS), they were taken to the Gao military hospital in the middle of the day.
(NGV)
