Since taking power in a double coup in 2020 and 2021, Mali's military leaders have made a priority of tackling the Sahel nation's multiple security issues.

An operation on Thursday in Ounguel destroyed "an enemy base, with around 30 terrorists neutralised", an army statement said.

Weapons, ammunition and 24 motorbikes were seized, it added.

On Friday, a second operation saw 10 militants killed and goods including pick-up trucks and motorbikes seized.

Mali is battling a political, security and economic crisis and has been ravaged by Al-Qaeda and Islamic State factions since 2012. It also faces a separatist insurgency in the volatile desert north.