Published on : 07/09/2022 – 22:19
Talataye, regarding 150 km from Gao, has been controlled since Tuesday evening September 6 by jihadists from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS), according to AFP citing a local elected official, a regional official and an interlocutor on the spot. . For the time being, no human toll is available.
According to initial information, the city fell into the hands of the EIGS following bitter fighting with other armed groups in the region, and rival jihadists who have pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda.
According to a fighter of the Salvation Movement of Azawad, quoted by AFP “ the EIGS people have arrived […] on motorcycles ” in the followingnoon. ” The fighting lasted three hours and then it’s “ at dusk that the locality fell into the hands of the jihadists. The fighter says he took part in the fighting himself, before retreating.
Willingness to expand
These battles are a good illustration of the EIGS’ desire for territorial expansion. The terrorist organization has recently multiplied operations beyond its area of influence and like a large part of the country, Talataye de facto escapes state control. Clashes have been regular there since the start of the conflict in Mali in 2012. The Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) is particularly well established in the bush surrounding the locality.
The French journalist Olivier Dubois kidnapped in Gao in 2021 had gone there for an interview with the commander of the GSIM of Talataye.
The Malian army said in a press release on Tuesday evening that it had conducted a “ reconnaissance offensive above Talataye.
