The Malian army has denied allegations that its military drone violated Algerian airspace, following reports that an unmanned aircraft crashed in the Tinzouatène region.
In a statement, General Oumar Diarra, Chief of Staff of the Malian Armed Forces, maintained that the drone was operating within Malian territory on a targeted mission against terrorist groups. He emphasized that the Malian forces remain professional and responsible in all their operations.
The Malian General Staff initially confirmed the crash, describing it as an incident with no casualties or material damage. However, hours later, Algeria’s Ministry of Defense claimed it had shot down an armed reconnaissance drone after it allegedly entered two kilometers into Algerian airspace.
Meanwhile, the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), an armed group in northern Mali, claimed responsibility for downing the drone, asserting it was an Akinci combat drone recently acquired by Mali’s military. The group shared images of debris on social media, though their authenticity remains unverified.
General Diarra reassured the public that the incident had no impact on the Malian army’s operational capacity and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to defending national sovereignty. He urged patience as investigations continue, stating that any attempt to destabilize Mali will be firmly opposed.
At this stage, no independent source has been able to confirm the exact circumstances surrounding the drone’s destruction.
© WAVN
