The Malian army announced on Monday, July 21st, the killing of Souleymane Ag Bakawa, also known as “Soldat,” a key figure within the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. The operation took place in the Tinfadimata region of northern Mali and targeted Bakawa’s faction, which has long been feared for orchestrating violent attacks in Menaka and its environ. According to military officials, Bakawa was directly responsible for a series of kidnappings and targeted killings involving both civilians and members of the Malian Armed Forces.
This development marks a significant moment in Mali’s prolonged struggle against extremist violence and insecurity. Since 2012, the country has been mired in a complex crisis involving separatist rebellions, jihadist insurgencies, and deadly intercommunal clashes. These overlapping conflicts have led to the deaths of thousands and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. The killing of Bakawa is seen as a tactical success in the wider counter-terrorism campaign, though challenges to peace and stability in the Sahel region remain profound.