BAMAKO, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Malian army announced on Sunday that at least 70 terrorists were killed during operations earlier this week in northern and central Mali.

According to a statement from the army, the first operation took place on July 15 in coordination with air forces from the Alliance of Sahel States, resulting in the elimination of around 40 terrorists in the Anderamboukan area in the north.

The second operation, conducted two days later, led to the destruction of a terrorist logistics and training base in the Niono area in central Mali, and the death of about 30 terrorists, the statement added.

Mali has been facing a multifaceted crisis since 2012, marked by separatist rebellions, jihadist incursions and intercommunal violence that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. ■