The Malian government has announced the creation of a “Special Operations Command” aimed at strengthening the army’s field capabilities in response to the rising wave of attacks by armed groups in the north and center of the country.
The decision was made during the weekly cabinet meeting chaired by transitional president General Assimi Goïta, following the approval of a draft law submitted by Defense Minister General Sadio Camara.
According to the official statement, the new command will bring together four specialized military units under a unified leadership: the “Special Forces Battalion,” the “Counterterrorism Force,” the “Aerial Intervention Unit,” and the “Reconnaissance Unit.”
The statement added that this reform is part of a broader plan to modernize the armed forces, aiming to enhance coordination, logistics, and operational efficiency, a process that has gained momentum in recent months.
No specific timeline or details about manpower and equipment have been disclosed, as observers await to see whether the new command will effectively deter the frequent attacks targeting Malian military positions.
This move comes amid a deteriorating security environment, particularly following the withdrawal of international forces and Mali’s shift toward new security partnerships.
