Malian authorities have announced the arrest of a key figure in the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), marking a significant breakthrough in the country’s ongoing battle against extremist insurgents.
Abraham Boubacar, known by the alias “Oubel,” was apprehended along with ten of his men during a targeted military operation in the Gao region on Saturday.
The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) confirmed the capture in a statement released Sunday, describing the operation as a major success in undermining the operational network of the EIS in one of Mali’s most volatile zones.
Gao, a strategic region in the northeast, has long served as a battleground between government forces and armed jihadist groups vying for control.
“Oubel” is identified as the commander of the Terrorist Action Group (GAT) of the EIS in the Tessit area—an insurgent stronghold located at the intersection of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The zone has been the site of repeated deadly attacks on both civilians and security forces. Notably, an ISIS-led assault on June 5 in Tessit claimed the lives of over 40 Malian soldiers.
“This arrest is a major gain for our intelligence services and the broader fight against terrorism,” the military stated, confirming that the detainees are currently in custody for identification and interrogation.
“Their safety and physical integrity will be ensured and preserved,” the statement added, emphasizing the value of potential intelligence that could be gleaned from the captives.
The operation follows the killing of another EIS commander, known as “Abou Dahdah,” near Ménaka just a day earlier.
Dahdah was reportedly an ideologue within the group and a specialist in deploying improvised explosive devices.
His death and Oubel’s capture reflect an intensification of Malian counterterrorism efforts, aimed at dismantling the leadership of jihadist factions operating across the Sahel.
The Tessit corridor, under Oubel’s command, has become one of the main infiltration routes for militants conducting cross-border raids.
The area’s geography—isolated and sparsely governed—makes it ideal terrain for insurgents seeking to evade detection while orchestrating attacks throughout the tri-border region.
With the capture of Oubel and his associates, Mali’s armed forces hope to not only weaken ISIS operations in the north but also disrupt broader terror networks that have plagued the Sahel for years.
Analysts see this as a rare opportunity for Malian intelligence to gain deeper insight into the inner workings of one of the region’s most dangerous extremist groups.
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