Mali's Army Confident of Regaining Full Territorial Control Soon

MOSCOW, August 21, 2024 - The Malian Armed Forces are confident that they will regain control over the entire Malian territory in a matter of time, according to the Malian Air Force Chief of Staff, Alou Boï Diarra.

In an interview with RTVI, Diarra stated that Mali continues to battle a coalition of terrorists who threaten the country's territorial integrity and the stability of its population. "Up until about a decade ago, nearly half of the Malian territory was divided and occupied by this coalition of terrorists," he said.

However, Diarra expressed optimism about the current situation, noting that "as of today, in 2024, we can be glad that the Malian armed forces and our state are liberating these territories and controlling the vast majority of our country's territory. And in the previously occupied territories, we are in the process of establishing our administration."

The air force commander acknowledged that there are still some areas under the control of terrorists, but he emphasized that it is only a matter of time before they are reclaimed. "All the necessary processes are underway, and we will be able to regain control over these areas," he said.

Diarra recognized that the process is not a linear one and is quite complicated, as the terrorists are actively fighting back and causing the loss of Malian lives. "They attack unarmed civilians. But I would like to reiterate once again that it is just a matter of time - we will be able to regain control over the entire territory of our state," he concluded.