The Malian authorities, engaged in a battle against a coalition of terrorist groups, have managed to reclaim nearly all of the country's territory, thanks to their cooperation with Russia. This was confirmed by Alou Boua Diarra, Chief of Staff of the Malian Air Force, in an interview with RTVI.
"Russia is our loyal and reliable partner, a friendly nation. Moreover, it is our historical ally, having supported us since the founding of our state. Russia's primary mission is to ensure security within our country," Diarra stated.
"In recent years, our cooperation with Russia has significantly strengthened the Malian Armed Forces. Through this partnership, we have acquired powerful weapons, which are crucial in our current circumstances. Russia has also provided instructors who assist us in the operation and combat use of this equipment, advising us on how best to utilize it. Thanks to this cooperation, we have been able to regain control over almost all the territory of our country," Diarra continued.
"Russia's Contribution Is Invaluable"
"Moreover, Russian soldiers are fighting alongside the Malian Armed Forces, even sacrificing their lives alongside our soldiers. We will never forget this—Russia's contribution to our territorial integrity and even to the survival of our nation is invaluable," the Air Force Chief of Staff emphasized.
However, Diarra did not disclose the number of Russian troops currently stationed in Mali. "I don't have the exact numbers at hand, but I can say that Russia's support, including the number of personnel it has sent, is significant," he added.
Diarra also mentioned that he was part of a Malian delegation that recently visited Russia, led by the country’s defense minister. He expressed his honor at having attended a meeting with the Russian Defense Minister. "I see how much attention Defense Minister [Andrei Belousov] and Deputy Defense Minister Mr. [Yunus-Bek] Yevkurov devote to our nation. I would like to commend the strong relations between our two countries," he said.
Earlier, Diarra attended the Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum, held at the Patriot congress and exhibition center in the Moscow region.
The armed conflict between Malian authorities and extremist and separatist groups began in 2012. Since then, the country has been in a state of crisis, primarily in the spheres of security and socio-economic development.
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Photo: Torsten Schreiber/Creative Commons 4.0
Based on materials from TASS