The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — comprising Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali — executed intensive air operations within Malian borders in response to a surge of violence orchestrated by al-Qaeda-linked militants and Tuareg separatists, as announced by Niger’s government late Thursday.
Over the past weekend, armed factions launched a coordinated offensive, seizing Kidal, a strategically vital northern city, and assassinating Malian Defence Minister Sadio Camara in the process.
The AES, established as a unified front against extremist threats, deployed a joint force of 5,000 troops, later augmented to 15,000 in mid-April. In the aftermath of the assaults on Gao, Menaka, and Kidal, Niger’s government commended the rapid and robust retaliation by the coalition forces, stating: “We welcome the decisive air campaigns conducted by the unified force within hours of the cowardly attacks on April 25, 2026.”
Regional tensions and rebel responses
A spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front, representing Malian Tuareg rebels, urged Burkina Faso and Niger to refrain from interfering in Mali’s internal conflict shortly after the assaults began.
All three AES member states are governed by military juntas that assumed power through coups between 2020 and 2023, further complicating the security landscape in the former French colony, now entangled in a deepening crisis exacerbated by alleged Russian paramilitary involvement.
At Camara’s funeral, Burkina Faso’s Defence Minister, Celestin Simpore, speaking on behalf of the AES, pledged to pursue the perpetrators, vowing to “hunt down the assassins.”
Public demonstrations of solidarity
In Niamey, Niger’s capital, approximately 1,000 citizens gathered to voice solidarity with Mali. Footage from the event showed protesters at the Djado Sekou Cultural Center chanting slogans such as “Down with imperialists,” “Down with terrorists and their backers,” and “Long live the AES.” A portrait of Camara was prominently displayed during the rally.
Effred Mouloul, a representative from the coalition of civil society groups organizing the event, declared: “To the people of Mali, we say: You are not alone. The active forces of Niger and the AES stand firmly beside you, offering unwavering solidarity.”
He criticized African leaders for their “complete lack of visible solidarity” following the targeted assassinations in Mali and demanded the withdrawal of French military presence from AES territory.
Niger’s authorities have repeatedly accused France of sponsoring the recent attacks in Mali and has previously alleged that Paris seeks to destabilize its government, a claim France has consistently denied.
As a precautionary measure, the Nigerien government announced the cancellation of all May 1st parade events nationwide due to security concerns.
