Fabian
Aviation, politics, terrorism, military stuff and OSINT from West Africa 🇧🇫 🇳🇪 🇲🇱 🇹🇩 🇧🇯 🇹🇬 🇨🇮
Find me on Twitter: x.com/fabsenbln
fabsenbln.substack.com
- #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 - Official handover of new eqiupment to the Armed Forces - 10 Oct 2025 Norinco🇨🇳 ➡️VN22B (105mm gun in a turret) ➡️SR-5 (multi launch rocket system) ➡️PLL05 & SM6 (120mm mortar systems) ➡️SH1 (PCL-09) (122mm mortar system) Dongfeng🇨🇳 ➡️EQ2050 version
- #Benin🇧🇯 - The #ISR Beech King Air 350 (reg. N389DD | #A47D08) of contractor "CAE Aviation Luxembourg" was up in the air today, covering the Tanguieta area, Pendjari National Park and a part of the border with #Togo🇹🇬.
- #CotedIvoire🇨🇮 - A #ISR Beech 350 (reg. N31XX / #A3469B) of contractor "CAE Aviation" using call sign "YODA25" was active this afternoon west of Bouna, between A12 road / Comoé National Park & the #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 border. Likely in support of border troops, looking out for #JNIM.
- #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 - UN report lists recruitment of children by #JNIM & #ISSP. Also reports on children being killed by terrorist groups, VDP and the regular military (e.g. air strikes, crossfire or even targeted killings). Not really new stuff, why the delayed response? www.reuters.com/world/africa...
- #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 Air Force Airbus C-295W (XT-MBH | #09CD45) returned earlier from Abidjan w. the remains of Alino Faso, a prominent influencer who supported the Traoré Gov. & lived in Côte d'Ivoire🇨🇮. He was arrested in Jan. for spying accusations & found dead in his cell in July.
- #Mali🇲🇱 - After being held hostage for almost 7 months by Islamic State Sahel Province (#ISSP), 4 Moroccan🇲🇦 truck drivers who were kidnapped at the 🇧🇫🇳🇪 border have been released. Presumably on Malian territory, as the hostages were received by Trans. Pres. Goita.
- #Benin🇧🇯 - According to media reports, three (3) terrorists were killed during an army reconnaissance mission between 31 July and 3 August in Pendjari National Park on the border with #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫. Several AKM weapons were seized.
- #Benin🇧🇯-TV accompanied soldiers deployed for "Operation Mirador" on a patrol from Parakou via Nikki, Kalale to Basso. In Gawezi, a police post previously attacked by terrorists is shown. Dongfeng CSK-131🇨🇳 & DJI Matrice 30T drone in use. An H125M🚁 (reg. TY-44H) is also shown.
- #Benin🇧🇯 - US🇺🇸 Amb. Shukan officially handed over 5 Toyota Land Cruiser to Minister of Justice Detchenou. These vehicles will enable prosecutors at appeal courts in the north of the country to carry out investigations & make more visits to prisons, combating prison overcrowding.
- #Niger🇳🇪 - Sothebys auctioned the largest meteorite from Mars, weighing almost 25kg, for $5,296,000 this week in NYC🇺🇸. NWA 16788 was found in the Agadez region in 2023. The Nigerien government has launched an investigation because the meteorite may have been exported illegally.
- #Mali🇲🇱 - FAMa announced the neutralisation of a local "Islamic State Sahel Province (#ISSP)" leader named Souleymane Ag Bakawa in Chimam. He was reportedly involved in the recent assassination of security forces in Menaka and in the execution and kidnapping of civilians.
- #Mali🇲🇱 - After 4 days at #Niamey🇳🇪 Airport, the Russian🇷🇺 Air Force Tu-154M (reg. RA-85042 | #154C32) flew to #Bamako this morning local time. After just 2.5 hours, the aircraft left the Malian capital and flew to Al Khadim Air Base in #Libya🇱🇾. #RFF708
- #Benin🇧🇯 - #Senegal's🇸🇳 President Faye arrived this afternoon local time on board of the Gov. Airbus A320-251N (ACJ) (reg. 6V-SEN | #0703FA) in Cotonou for a working visit. At the airport he was welcomed by FM Bakari. Later, President Faye met President Talon for talks.
- #Niger🇳🇪 - Unusual cargo flight: A "MNG Airlines🇹🇷" Airbus A330-343 (P2F) (reg. TC-MCM | #4BB46D) arrived this evening from Ankara-Esenboga Airport in Niamey and is now parked in the military part of the airport.
- #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 - Today #Ghana🇬🇭 based "Africa World Airlines (AWA)" inaugurated its new direct service between both countries. An Embraer ERJ-145LI (reg. 9G-AFJ | 044055) arrived this morning in Ouaga from Accra. The airline plans to operate three weekly flights between the two capitals.
- #Benin🇧🇯 - Army special forces reportedly destroyed two terrorist bases in Parc W near the #Niger🇳🇪 border on June 24 & 28 and killed several terrorists. Pictures show one terrorist wearing a Beninese army jacket, likely captured in an attack. Weapons, motorbikes & equipment seized.
- #Mali🇲🇱 - This morning #JNIM attacked security forces in 7 places (Niono, Molodo, Sandare, Kayes, Diboli, Nioro du Sahel, Gogui). Reportedly heavy losses in several places, with 80+ terrorists killed. It shows FAMa can fend off such attacks, but only with good coordination.
- #Niger - Ministry of Defence: 34 soldiers killed this morning in an attack on security forces in Bani Bangou. MoD speaks of "several hundred attackers & 200 motorbikes". IS Sahel Province (#ISSP | #ISGS) terrorists from the Malian side of the border allegedly gathered in the region since yesterday.
- "Violence surged across the central #Sahel in May, with #JNIM launching its deadliest wave since August 2024. The group seized towns in #BurkinaFaso, stormed military camps in #Mali, #Niger & expanded raids on military outposts into #Benin." Via @acleddata.bsky.social acleddata.com/2025/06/06/a...
- #Benin - After a year, the "CAE Aviation" Beech 300 with reg. N196ZZ | #A180CC is back in the country. It arrived yesterday from Abidjan. The aircraft is equipped for #ISR missions & will monitor Pendjari National Park, Parc W and the #BurkinaFaso | #Niger borders. (📸David J. Leaver | 2018)
- #Mali - This screenshot is from a video (watch it in the post below), that shows Africa Corps mercs & a FAMa soldier, inspecting debris in a pirogue boat, allegedly belonging to the military aircraft (Su-24) that crashed near Gao into the Niger River on Saturday, June 14.
- #Mali - Saturday, June 14, a military aircraft crashed near Gao airport in the Niger River. Both pilots were rescued alive. According to eyewitness reports, which have not yet been officially confirmed, it was an Africa Corps Su-24. A sandstorm could be the reason for the crash acc. to FAMa.
- #Togo - Reports of a foiled terrorist attack yesterday in the Kpinkankandi (Kpendjal) area. Pictures show motorbikes, weapons & bodies. At least 3 light-skinned people in the background. Turkish & Russian military advisors (not official soldiers) are active in the north.
- #Sahel - A powerful, opaque al-Qaeda affiliate is rampaging across #WestAfrica: With up to 6,000 fighters, #JNIM is now the most well-armed militant force in the Sahel — and among the most powerful in the world, officials and experts say. @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
- #Mali - Propaganda videos from #JNIM show the preparation of the attack on the Mahou base (12.1309, -4.6465) and footage from a drone during the attack. The use of small commercial drones is almost standard by now.
- #US 🇺🇸 - President Trump nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson for promotion to 4-star General to lead US Africa Command. From 2019-2021 he was commander of US Special Operations Command Africa. The Senate Armed Services Committee will schedule a hearing & decide if they confirm Anderson.
- #Niger🇳🇪 - Today the Leonardo AW139 VIP transport helicopter (reg. XT-MBG | #09CD55) of #BurkinaFaso's🇧🇫 Air Force landed at Agadez Airport for a stopover. The helicopter is currently travelling back to Ouaga, after 9 months at Lodrino🇨🇭 Airport (LSPR) for maintenance. 📸April '25
- #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 - A "Sky Vision Airlines🇪🇬" A320-232 (P2F) cargo aircraft (reg. SU-SKD | #01026A) arrived this afternoon in Ouaga from Tekirdag Corlu🇹🇷 Airport. This airport is frequently used for shipments of BaykarTech drones (Bayraktar, Akinci) and ammunition for these drones.
- #Mali's🇲🇱 Defence Minister Gen. Sadio Camara visited troops stationed in #Kidal yesterday. For his trip the Air Force used an interesting Antonov An-26 with registration TZ-02T - I can't remember to have seen this plane in the past years, any additional info is welcome!
- #Mali🇲🇱 - #Niger's🇳🇪 Prime Minister Zeine arrived yesterday with the Gov. Boeing 737-75U (BBJ) (reg. 5U-GRN | #062F2E) in Bamako. He was welcomed by PM Abdoulaye Maiga. They will discuss economic, customs and monetary coordination issues according to media reports.
- On May 21, H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State UAE🇦🇪 Foreign Affairs, visited #Mali🇲🇱, #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 & #Niger🇳🇪 - where he met the Trans. Presidents Goita, Traore and Tiani. Topics: Bilateral relations, cooperation in renewable energy and education.
- #CotedIvoire🇨🇮 - On April 24, Defence Min. Ouattara met w. US Africa Command General Langley. Instead of building a new US🇺🇸 base, a future drone base will likely be integrated into existing 🇨🇮 infrastructure. Bouake Airport is currently said to be a top candidate, acc. to local media.
- #Mali🇲🇱 -Tuesday morning local time a Russian Air Force An-124 (reg. RA-82030 | #15406E) was tracked heading west through #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 - likely on the way to Bamako. The An-124 departed from the Benghazi🇱🇾 area, where it arrived May 16 from Moscow CKL🇷🇺 via Khmeimim Air Base🇸🇾.
- #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 - Trans. President Traore returned yesterday morning local time to Ouagadougou from his visit to Russia. Traore and his delegation travelled again on board of an Russian🇷🇺 Government Il-96-300 (reg. RA-96019 | 157713).
- #Niger🇳🇪 - #BurkinaFaso🇧🇫 A Bayraktar TB2 drone of Niger's Air Force (with invalid transponder code) was operating this evening near Tamou (Say) & Kirtachi (Kollo), across the border over Botou (Est🇧🇫) and later near the 🇳🇪🇧🇫 N6 road border crossing before heading north-west.
- #Mali🇲🇱 - #FLA "Armée de l’Azawad" has published a video on X / Twitter supposedly showing two FPV drone attacks on a FAMa / #Wagner camp in #Léré (Tombouctou ) on May 09. A "drone relay" & "Wager HQ" are said to have been hit. We can see how a tanker + lorry are likely hit & later a building.
- #Mali🇲🇱 - After a visit to #Bamako just two days ago, on May 08, the same Russian🇷🇺 Air Force An-124 (reg. RA-82030 | #15406E) was on its way there again this morning. The departure airport was not tracked, but was most likely in Libya🇱🇾 again.
- #Togo🇹🇬 - An "Antonov Airlines" An-124 (reg. UR-82072 | #50801F) cargo aircraft arrived last night in Lomé from Budapest Ferenc Liszt🇭🇺 Airport. Interestingly, the aircraft flew a westerly turn around the AES states.
