The army announced on April 29 that it had eliminated Abu Huzeifa, a commander of the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) group in the three-border area, the day before. The United States had put a price on his head for his involvement in the deaths of four American soldiers. What role did the fighters of the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) play in this success of the Malian army? What are the consequences for the American reward offer?
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Do we know how the Malian army managed to locate and identify Abu Huzeifa?
The Malian army itself, whether in its press release or in the information it transmitted to the national television ORTM which devoted a report to this elimination Monday evening, does not give any details: it speaks of a “ large-scale operation ”, without further details, and assures that “ the identification and the clues collected confirm the death » of Abu Huzeifa, without saying if his identification is strictly visual, if he was simply recognized, if identity documents were found on him or in his hiding place or anything else.
What we know, thanks to local civilian and security sources, is that this operation took place in the locality of Tassoubarat, southeast of Indélimane, near the border with Niger. This is where he hid with around ten men. And that the MSA fighters played a decisive role.
Read alsoMali: the army eliminates a military leader of the Islamic State group in the Sahel
What role did the fighters of the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) play in this operation?
This is an armed group from the Ménaka region, composed mainly of Tuaregs from the Dahoussak fraction, and which fights with the Malian army.
It must be remembered that when the Islamic State in the Sahel launched its vast offensive in the Ménaka region, in March 2022, the MSA was absolutely alone in trying to protect and rescue the populations. Today, almost the entire Menaka region and part of the Gao region are controlled by ISIS jihadists and, according to the count of local communities, this Islamic State offensive has caused more than ‘a thousand deaths, the MSA could not cope. But it is now allied with the Malian Armed Forces (Fama). The Fama and their Wagner proxies, who have long been disinterested in what was happening in the region, are today present in Ménaka.
And so, it was thanks to the MSA that the army was able to eliminate “Higgo”, US AFRICOM code for Abu Huzeifa. It was in fact MSA fighters who located, identified and killed him. But they did it under the banner of the Malian army. It should also be noted that it was Moussa Ag Acharatoumane, the head of the MSA, who first announced Higgo’s death, on social networks, on Sunday, therefore the same day of his elimination. But he clearly affirmed in his message that it was the army which had neutralized him. And the next day, Monday evening, it was the Malian army which claimed this military success.
Why was the United States putting a price on this man’s head? ?
“Up to 5 million dollars”, 3.4 billion FCFA: the Americans had put a price on his head after theattack on Tongo Tongo, in October 2017 in Niger. Attack during which four Nigerien soldiers and four American special forces soldiers were killed. And Abu Huzeifa had directly taken part in this attack. It is even his main feat of arms.
Read alsoNiger: the United States still looking for information, five years after the Tongo Tongo attack
In one of the rare photos of him in circulation, Higgo poses with a weapon stolen from the Americans in Tongo Tongo. The United States therefore offered this reward to anyone who could provide information that could help find him, as well as six other jihadists involved in the attack. Several have been killed since: after Higgo’s death, there is actually only one left.
Will the $5 million reward be handed over to the Malian authorities?
This is a question that arises, of course, and which also makes us smile a little because the situation is indeed funny, but it is unlikely.
In its press release, to begin with, the Malian army recalls the existence of this reward but at no time says that it intends to request it. No statement to this effect either from the transitional political authorities in Bamako.
Then, the Americans offered a reward in exchange for information. The State Department’s offer is easily accessible on the Internet: the money is in exchange for information on those responsible for Tongo Tongo, this information should then allow the American army to carry out its operation.
Last thing: the Malian army working with the Russian Wagner group, which Washington officially considers as a “ international criminal organization ”, because of its “ widespread atrocities and human rights abuses “. It’s hard to see the Americans signing them a check.