Sahel Alliance launches joint air campaign in Mali after major assault
The Alliance of Sahel States—Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali—carried out intense air campaigns inside Mali following al-Qaeda‑linked jihadist and Tuareg rebel assaults that included the seizure of Kidal and the death of Mali’s defence minister. The unified force reportedly ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 troops and has drawn praise from Niger’s government, which blamed foreign powers for destabilization and called for continued action. Solidarity demonstrations in Niamey reflected regional support for Mali, while security measures—including cancellation of May Day parades—underscore a widening security crisis in the region.
