In a significant victory against insurgency, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) have announced the capture of Mahamad Ould Erkehile, a notorious senior leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). Known by his aliases Abou Rakia and more recently Abou Hach, Erkehile was apprehended during a high-stakes military operation on January 3, 2025, in Amasarakad, approximately 120 kilometers from Bourem in the Gao region.
Renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama broke the news on their official X handle, hailing the operation as a critical step in dismantling extremist networks in the Sahel region.
The meticulously planned operation led to the neutralization of several EIGS fighters and the recovery of substantial military equipment, including components used for fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
FAMa described the mission as executed with “remarkable professionalism,” targeting one of the most wanted individuals in the region.
Mahamad Ould Erkehile has been identified as the mastermind behind numerous atrocities, including mass killings and systematic abuses against civilians in the Ménaka and Gao regions. His name is infamously tied to the February 2018 massacre in the village of Inwelan, where his forces desecrated the Holy Quran and slaughtered innocent residents in an act that shocked the region.
Erkehile’s capture is a major win for regional stability, as he was also linked to other top EIGS leaders, including Abou Houzeifa and Ossama Madalo—both neutralized in earlier operations. Preliminary investigations have further exposed his deep connections with key figures such as Abdoul Walid Alsaharoui, Abdel Hakim Alsaharoui, and Rhissa Alsaharoui, underscoring his central role in coordinating the group’s violent campaigns.
The operation’s success underscores FAMa’s growing capabilities in counterinsurgency efforts, despite the complex challenges posed by extremist groups in the Sahel. With Erkehile’s capture, the Malian Armed Forces have struck a heavy blow to EIGS’s command structure, disrupting their operational capabilities in the region.
Zagazola Makama lauded the operation, emphasizing its importance in the broader war against terror in the Sahel. Analysts believe this victory could pave the way for further gains in weakening extremist groups operating in Mali and neighboring countries.
As investigations continue, the capture of Mahamad Ould Erkehile is not just a symbolic win but a crucial step in restoring security and stability to the embattled region.
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