Operation Solstice against ISGS. Takuba begins cooperation with Nigeriens
(B2) Several leaders of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara were neutralized during an intervention led by Barkhane, Takuba and the Nigeriens in June. Two EIGS executives were arrested. The terrorist organization is weakened, says the Minister of the Armed Forces. The Europeans begin their cooperation with the Nigerien forces
Operation Solstice: 1 soldiers engaged
French, Nigerians and Europeans
Called 'Solstice', this operation was carried out from June 6 to 20 between Niger and Mali, bringing together French, Europeans and Nigeriens. By the Ministry's own admission, the border remains blurred " in this place. Nearly 300 French and European soldiers as well as 800 Nigeriens have been deployed. between Ouallam in Niger and Ménaka in Mali, to hunt down armed terrorist groups in their sanctuary, around the villages of Akabar, Tabankort and In Araban we say to the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Throughout the operation, they were supported at the air level by planes Mirage 2000, Tiger helicopters, armed drones ". This operation was coordinated from a command post co-located with that of the Nigerien army in Ouallam.
Committed Swedes and Czechs, alongside Nigerians
According to our information, on the European side, Czechs and Swedes from the Takuba task force intervened. The Europeans, however, intervened without the Malians of the ULRI “Which they usually frame, in accordance with the suspension of operational cooperation decided by the Élysée, an official source told B2. An association that is not fortuitous. This allows " to initiate operational cooperation with the Nigerien armed forces, which will be strengthened in the months and years to come ". NB: it was apparently during this operation that Czechs were victims of an IED. No injuries
Violent fights
The ground fighting was “ violent by the very admission of the staff. A Nigerian soldier has died. While three French soldiers and a Nigerian soldier were injured. They were quickly evacuated by helicopter to the military surgical branches of Ménaka and Gao. This made it possible to save their lives ».
Materials seized
The seizure of numerous resources: thirteen motorcycles, nearly thirty light infantry weapons, around fifty communication devices and even equipment used in the manufacture of explosive devices.
The disorganized EIGS
Executives of EIGS, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, were hit in this operation.
Six men neutralized
The operation made it possible to neutralize (kill), six adversaries, in particular one of the executives of the EIGS, reputed close to the emir of the EIGS (Walid al-Sahaouiri), according to the French Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly who revealed the information to the journalists of the AJD (of which B2 is a member): Almahmoud Al Baye (alias Ikaray), " leader of the Ménaka combatant group ».
... et two other arrested
More significantly, the operation also resulted in the capture of " two lieutenants of the Emir of the EIGS “: Daddi Ould Shouaib, better known by his combat diminutive Abou Dardar, and Sidi Ould Ahmed Mohamed, alias Katab el Mauritani. An arrest " from which much is expected in terms of information “, underlines Florence Parly, who however refused to indicate whether or not the two prisoners had been handed over to the Malian authorities.
NB: According to the agreement with the Malians, anyone arrested by Barkhane or the Europeans of Takuba must then be transferred to the Malian authorities to be tried and imprisoned (read: The status of forces in Takuba. The text of the SOFA concluded between Paris, Bamako and the European partners). But the deadline is not exactly specified.
The EIGS seriously affected
To this must be added the fact that the number 2 of the EIGS Abdel Akim, a close al-Sahaouiri, " very media-friendly, known for its extremely strict application of Sharia with local populations "and his cruelty" slaughtering his victims himself ", would " died in May in circumstances not known and which remain to be elucidated ". Paris does not indicate cause of this death. The EIGS, organization proclaimed enemy number 1 by the French, was " seriously weakened in recent months » rejoiced Florence Parly. " The operations carried out were useful and efficient. I hope these blows will disrupt the organization. »
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
- The Nigerien armed forces were " used in many ways “ indicates the staff of the armies. They led autonomous operations in the center and south-east of the area of operation ". Nigerien troops showing a " great fighting value were also integrated into a Desert Tactical Subgroup (SGTD) and the Commando Group (GC) of the Barkhane Force.
