Military - note Mali, in 7 editions.

prior to the coups in August 2020 coup, and May 2021, the Malian military had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960; two attempts failed (1976 and 1978), while three succeeded in overturning civilian rule (1968, 1991, and 2012); the military collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants militants; it has been since rebuilt, but continues to have limited capabilities and is heavily reliant on external assistance
since 2017, the FAMa, along with other government security and paramilitary forces, has conducted multiple major operations against militants in the eastern, central, and northern parts of the country; up to 4,000 troops reportedly have been deployed; the stated objectives for the most recent operation (Operation Maliko in early 2020) was to end terrorist activity and restore government authority in seven of the country’s 10 regions, including Mopti, Ségou, Gao, Kidal, Ménaka, Taoudénit, and Timbuktu
Mali is part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force; in early 2020, G5 Sahel military chiefs of staff agreed to allow defense forces from each of the states to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the G5 force is backed by the UN, US, and France; G5 troops periodically conduct joint operations with French forces deployed to the Sahel under Operation Barkhane
the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has operated in the country since 2013; the Mission's responsibilities include providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; as of March 2020, August 2021, MINUSMA had around 15,500 military, police, and civilian 18,000 personnel deployed deployed; in June 2021, MINUSMA's mission was extended until the end of June 2022
the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-M) also has operated in the country since 2013; the EUTM-M provides advice and training to the Malian Armed Forces and military assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force; as of August 2020, March 2021, the mission included more than 600 almost 700 personnel from 28 25 European countries (2020) (2021)

prior to the coups coup in August 2020 and military takeover in May 2021, the Malian military had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960; two attempts failed (1976 and 1978), while three succeeded in overturning civilian rule (1968, 1991, and 2012); the military collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants; it has been since rebuilt, but continues to have limited capabilities and is heavily reliant on external assistance
since 2017, the FAMa, along with other government as of 2022, Malian security and paramilitary forces, has conducted multiple major forces were actively engaged in operations against militants in several insurgent terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and the eastern, Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), as well as other rebel groups, communal militias, and criminal bands spread across the central, northern, and northern parts southern regions of the country; up to 4,000 troops reportedly have been deployed; the stated objectives for the most recent operation (Operation Maliko in early 2020) was to end terrorist activity and restore government authority was reportedly in seven control of only an estimated 10-20% of the country’s 10 regions, including Mopti, Ségou, Gao, Kidal, Ménaka, Taoudénit, country's central and Timbuktu
Mali is northern territories, and terror attacks were increasing in the more heavily populated south, including around the capital Bamako; the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger; it Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) coalition of al-Qa'ida-linked terror groups, has committed 1,100 troops played a large role in a surge in violence in Mali’s central and 200 gendarmes to the force; southern regions; in early 2020, G5 Sahel military chiefs of staff agreed to allow defense forces from each of the states to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the G5 force is backed by north, the UN, US, Islamic State of Iraq and France; G5 troops periodically conduct joint operations with French forces deployed to ash-Sham in the Sahel under Operation Barkhane Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) has been able to reassert itself in 2022
the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has operated in the country since 2013; the Mission's responsibilities include providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, protecting civilians, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; as of August 2021, mid-2022, MINUSMA had around 18,000 15,000 personnel deployed; in June 2021, MINUSMA's mission was extended until 2022, the end of June 2022 UN extended its mission another 12 months
the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-M) and the French military (under a separate, bi-lateral mission) have also has operated in the country since 2013; the EUTM-M provides advice and training to the Malian Armed Forces and military assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force; as of March 2021, May 2022, the mission included almost 700 about 1,100 personnel from 25 more than 20 European countries (2021) countries; in April of 2022, the EU said it would suspend its training program in Mali, citing issues with the ruling military government, including human rights abuses and the presence of Russian private military contractors; in August 2022, France completed withdrawing the last of its forces from Mali, also citing obstructions from the military government; prior to the withdrawal, more than 2,000 French troops had provided military assistance and conducted counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations
in December 2021, the Malian military government contracted with a Russian private military company to provide training for local armed forces and security to senior Malian officials; as of mid-2022, there were an estimated 1,000 Russian military contractors in Mali (2022)

the FAMa is responsible for defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, but also has some domestic security duties, including the maintenance of public order and support to law enforcement if required, as well as counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations; it also participates in socio-economic development projects; the military has traditionally played a large role in Mali’s politics; prior to the coup in August 2020 and military takeover in May 2021, the Malian military it had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960; two attempts failed (1976 and 1978), while three succeeded in overturning civilian rule (1968, 1991, and 2012); the military collapsed in 2012 during 2012)
the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants; it has been since rebuilt, but continues to have limited capabilities FAMa and is heavily reliant on external assistance
as of 2022, Malian other security forces were are actively engaged in operations against several insurgent terrorist insurgent/terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), as well as other rebel groups, communal militias, and criminal bands spread across the central, northern, and southern regions of the country; the government was is reportedly in control of only an estimated 10-20% of the country's central and northern territories, and terror attacks were are increasing in the more heavily populated south, including around the capital Bamako; the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), part of the Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) coalition of al-Qa'ida-linked terror groups, has played a large role in a surge in violence in Mali’s central and southern regions; in the north, the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) has regained strength in recent years
the FAMa and the remainder of the security forces collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants and have since been able rebuilt with considerable external assistance, including the EU, France, and the UN; for example, the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM) from 2013-2022 trained as many as 15,000 Malian soldiers and 8 combined arms battalions/battlegroups (Groupement Tactique InterArmes, GTIA), each of which was structured to reassert itself be self-sufficient with its own motorized/mechanized infantry, light armor, commandos, artillery, engineers, and other support forces; EUTM suspended its training program in 2022, citing issues with the ruling military government, including human rights abuses and the presence of Russian private military contractors; over the same period, the French military provided considerable assistance to the Malian security forces and conducted counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations in Mali; the French suspended operations in 2021 and in August 2022
withdrew the United Nations last of its forces while also citing issues with the military government; the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has operated in the country since 2013; 2013 with the Mission's responsibilities include mission of providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, protecting civilians, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; as of mid-2022, MINUSMA had around 15,000 personnel deployed; however, in June 2022, 2023, the UN extended its mission another 12 months
the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-M) and Security Council voted to end the French military (under a separate, bi-lateral mission) have also operated in MINUSMA mission after the country since 2013; ruling junta demanded the EUTM-M provides advice withdrawal of foreign forces and training aligned itself closer to Russia; the Malian Armed Forces MINUSMA mission officially ended on 11 December 2023 and military assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force; nearly all troops were withdrawn, although a “liquidation phase” involving activities such as of May 2022, the mission included about 1,100 personnel from more than 20 European countries; handing over remaining equipment to local authorities will stretch into 2024
in April of 2022, addition to the EU said it would suspend its training program in Mali, citing issues with EU-trained GTIAs, the ruling military government, including human rights abuses Army has commandos and special forces, as well as recently created motorcycle-mounted reconnaissance units; the presence Air Force has small numbers of Russian private military contractors; in August 2022, France completed withdrawing combat aircraft and helicopters, as well as a few armed UAVs; the last of its Gendarmerie and National Guard field company-sized paramilitary units, including camel-mounted forces from Mali, in the National Guard; they also citing obstructions from have special anti-terrorism and intervention forces
the military government; prior to the withdrawal, more than 2,000 French troops had government has increased security ties with Russia; Russia has provided military assistance equipment, and conducted counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations
in December 2021, the Malian military government Mali contracted with a Russian private military company to provide training for local armed forces and security to senior Malian officials; the contractors have also participated in security operations and been accused of war crimes; as of mid-2022, 2023, there were an estimated 1,000 Russian military contractors in Mali (2022) (2023)

the FAMa is responsible for defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, but also has some domestic security duties, including the maintenance of public order and support to law enforcement if required, as well as counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations; it also participates in socio-economic development projects; the military has traditionally played a large role in Mali’s politics; prior to the coup in August 2020 and military takeover in May 2021, it had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960; two attempts failed (1976 and 1978), while three succeeded in overturning civilian rule 1960 (1968, 1976, 1978, 1991, and 2012)
the FAMa and other security forces are actively engaged in operations against several insurgent/terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), as well as other rebel groups, organizations, communal militias, and criminal bands spread across the central, northern, and southern regions of the country; the government is reportedly in control of only an estimated 10-20% of the country's central and northern territories, and attacks are increasing have increased in the more heavily populated south, including around the capital Bamako; the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), part of the Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) coalition of al-Qa'ida-linked terror groups, has played a large role in a surge in violence in Mali’s central and southern regions; in the north, ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) has regained strength in recent years
the FAMa and the remainder of the security forces collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants and have since been rebuilt with considerable external assistance, including the EU, France, and the UN; for example, the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM) from 2013-2022 trained as many as 15,000 Malian soldiers and 8 eight combined arms battalions/battlegroups (Groupement Tactique InterArmes, GTIA), each of which was structured to be self-sufficient with its own motorized/mechanized infantry, light armor, commandos, artillery, engineers, and other support forces; the EUTM suspended its training program and the French military ended their missions in 2022, 2022 citing issues with the ruling military government, including human rights abuses and the presence of Russian private military contractors; over the same period, the French military provided considerable assistance to the Malian security forces and conducted counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations in Mali; the French suspended operations in 2021 and in August 2022 withdrew the last of its forces while also citing issues with the military government; the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has operated in the country since 2013 from 2013-2023 with the mission of providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, protecting civilians, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; however, in June 2023, MINUSMA had more than 15,000 personnel at its peak strength and lost over 300 peacekeepers during the UN Security Council voted to end course of the MINUSMA mission mission, which was concluded at the end of 2023 after the ruling junta demanded the withdrawal of foreign forces and aligned itself closer to Russia; the MINUSMA mission officially ended on 11 December 2023 and nearly all troops were withdrawn, although a “liquidation phase” involving activities such as handing over remaining equipment to local authorities will stretch into 2024
in addition to the EU-trained GTIAs, the Army has commandos and special forces, as well as recently created motorcycle-mounted reconnaissance units; the Air Force has small numbers of combat aircraft and helicopters, as well as a few armed UAVs; the Gendarmerie and National Guard field company-sized paramilitary units, including camel-mounted forces in the National Guard; they also have special anti-terrorism and intervention forces
the military government has increased security ties with Russia; Russia has provided military equipment, and in December 2021, Mali contracted with a Russian private military company to provide training and other support for local armed forces and forces, as well as security to for senior Malian officials; the contractors have also participated in security operations and been accused of war crimes; as of 2023, there were an estimated 1,000 Russian military contractors in Mali (2023) officials (2024)

the FAMa is responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, but also has some domestic security duties, including the maintenance of public order and support to law enforcement if required, as well as counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations; enforcement; it also participates in socio-economic development projects; the military has traditionally played a large role in Mali’s politics; prior to the coup in August 2020 and military takeover in May 2021, it had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960 (1968, 1976, 1978, 1991, 2012)
the FAMa and other security forces are actively engaged in combat operations against several insurgent/terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), as well as other armed rebel organizations, communal militias, and criminal bands spread across the central, northern, and southern regions of the country; the government is reportedly in control of only an estimated 10-20% of the country's central and northern territories, and attacks have increased in the more heavily populated south, including around the capital Bamako; the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), part of the Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) coalition of al-Qa'ida-linked terror groups, has played a large role in a surge in violence in Mali’s central and southern regions; in the north, ISIS in portion of the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) has regained strength in recent years country--up to 50% by some estimates--is outside of government control
the FAMa and the remainder of the security forces collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants and have since been were rebuilt beginning in 2013 with considerable external assistance, including assistance from the EU, France, EU and the UN; for example, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM) from 2013-2022 trained as many as 15,000 Malian soldiers and eight combined arms battalions/battlegroups (Groupement Tactique InterArmes, GTIA), each of which was structured to be self-sufficient with its own motorized/mechanized infantry, light armor, commandos, artillery, engineers, and other support forces; the EUTM and the French military ended their missions in 2022 citing issues with the ruling military government, including human rights abuses 2023 and the presence of Russian private military contractors; the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission 2024, respectively; France intervened militarily in Mali (MINUSMA) operated in the country from 2013-2023 2013 to assist with regaining the mission northern half of providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, protecting civilians, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; MINUSMA had more than 15,000 personnel at its peak strength country from rebel and lost over 300 peacekeepers during the course of the mission, which was concluded at the end of 2023 after the ruling junta demanded the withdrawal of foreign forces
the military government Islamic militant groups; French troops withdrew in 2022; since 2021, Mali has increased security ties with Russia; Russia Russia, which has provided military equipment, and in December 2021, Mali contracted with a Russian private military company to provide training training, and other forms of military support for local armed forces, as well as security for senior Malian officials (2024) (2025)