Niger’s military government says a joint force involving Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali has carried out airstrikes in northern Mali following a wave of attacks by militant and separatist groups.

According to a government statement issued after a cabinet meeting in Niamey, the operation began just hours after co-ordinated attacks were launched over the weekend.

The announcement offers the clearest indication yet that the three Sahel countries are working together militarily, after months of close political and security co-operation.

Until now, details of any joint operations had remained unclear, despite earlier remarks by Mali’s leader, Assimi Goïta, who had praised support from neighbouring countries and Russia without confirming co-ordinated action.

Mali’s Defence Ministry has previously maintained that its national forces were leading operations against what it describes as terrorist groups.

–ChannelAfrica–