Mali’s government announced Thursday that 82 soldiers previously held captive by armed groups operating in the nation’s northern region have been released and returned to state custody. The military disclosed the development through a statement broadcast on state television, confirming that the personnel had regained their freedom following a process that commenced shortly after their initial capture.
The soldiers were detained by two distinct factions: fighters aligned with al-Qaeda through the group known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front. Both organizations have been active in Mali’s conflict, with the latter claiming responsibility for releasing approximately 80 soldiers taken prisoner between 2023 and 2026. A representative from the Azawad Liberation Front stated the group’s decision to free the detainees was motivated by humanitarian considerations, though discrepancies exist regarding the exact timeline of their captivity.
According to Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Algeria facilitated the release negotiations. The Azawad Liberation Front indicated that roughly 118 additional soldiers remain in captivity. Mali has been experiencing internal conflict since 2012, with military leaders who took control through a 2021 coup pledging to restore stability and national unity across the country.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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