BAMAKO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Mali established a new rapid intervention unit within its armed forces on Friday to strengthen the fight against terrorism, the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs said during a flag presentation ceremony held in the capital here.
The unit, known as the Rapid Intervention Battalion, is tasked with enhancing the operational capabilities of the Malian Armed Forces, improving their responsiveness to security threats, and contributing to the defense of territorial integrity as well as the protection of civilians and property. Its exact strength has not been disclosed.
Malian Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Sadio Camara said that the establishment of the Rapid Intervention Battalion reflects the need for a continuous adaptation of the armed forces in response to a changing security environment.
The unit is equipped with mobile assets, including motorcycles, which allow it to operate in areas difficult for armored vehicles to access.
Chief of the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces Oumar Diarra said that recent months have seen an increase in attacks targeting fuel tankers, passenger transport and civilian vehicles along key routes linking the capital to other regions, prompting the need for more agile and adaptable units.
Since 2012, Mali has faced a prolonged security crisis marked by insurgencies, terrorist attacks, and intercommunal violence, which have caused thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. ■
