Battle of the Sama Forest

After the attacks in June, the Malian Army began combing operations in Sikasso, especially in the Sama Forest close to the Ivorian border.^[7] On July 16, intelligence from locals led Malian forces to a jihadist base in the forest. Two offensives were carried out by the 33rd Parachute Commando Regiment, considered an elite unit of the Malian army, and they captured weapons and equipment from the camp. Many of the jihadists ere killed or fled.^[8][9]

The jihadists reportedly were from Ansar Dine and Katiba Macina and the "barefoot" sect.^[9] Souleymane Keita, the founder of the Khalid ibn Walid katiba, fled to Guinea.^[10]

While the Malian government did not release a statement about the battle, French news agencies reported the injuries of two Malian soldiers.^[11] Ten jihadists were killed and ten were captured, according to the BBC, and Studio Tamani claimed the deaths of thirty fighters and fifteen taken prisoner.^[12][13] Jeune Afrique later reported that the katiba had thirty fighters, according to a Malian military official. Five of those were killed, fourteen were captured by Malian forces, and seven were arrested by Ivorian forces.^[10]