This is a highly significant decision. The president of the Malian transition, Army General Assimi Goita, has created by decree "military zones of interest with no access for the population".

In short, these are areas of territory where civilians will no longer be able to settle. These zones are considered potential havens for armed terrorist groups.

The Malian armed forces have been ordered to systematically deal with all targets located in these geographical areas, which are actually made up of forests and national parks.

The forests of Keniebaoulé and Bossofala, near Bamako, are affected.

Civilians who make the mistake of venturing into these areas are in grave danger. Only military personnel, security forces, and customs and forestry agents will be allowed access, and only with orders from the military hierarchy.

As mentioned, the areas in question are forests and protected areas. These include, for example, the forests of Faya (Zantiguila), Keniebaoulé and Bossofala, Kékoro (Bougouni), Farako (Sikasso), Falémé (Kayes), Faira (Ségou), Tangadrin (Goundam), Sossebougou (Macina), Wagadou (Nara), the Boucle du Baoulé National Park and the Manding Mountains (Faraba).

In total, 39 forests and national parks are protected.

Creating human buffer zones to facilitate airstrikes

The creation of these military zones, inaccessible to the population, is part of the deployment of the new military operation called "Dougoukoloko." The goal is to create buffer zones to facilitate airstrikes and ground sweep operations without risk of civilian collateral damage.