At least 33 soldiers were killed in an attack in northern Mali this week after one of two devastating attacks in the Sahel region four days ago.
Concerns have been raised over the capability of the Malian army to deal with the frequent attacks that have claimed hundreds of the security forces.
A number of civilians and high-ranking officials have expressed their discontent and concern after the deadliest attack.
Some civilians expressed disappointment over the way the national army was handling the issue of security with some even calling for a more robust way to deal with incompetent soldiers.
Nouhoum Togo, former advisor to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs of Mali says it is difficult to deal with the enemies who are insiders. So they have to investigate that, and if there are doubts about someone they have to replace that person
Much of the central Sahel has been locked in a vicious conflict between state forces, jihadists and ethnic militias for years, in a battle that shows no sign of abating.
Dozens of assailants on motorbikes and pickup trucks stormed a military post southwest of the town of Ansongo, near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, the army says on social media.
