Airstrikes were launched in the provinces with the aim of stopping separatist raids in the rail route from the iron mines in Zouérat to the coast of Nouadhibou (the Mauritania Railway), and pushing them to release French hostages.
To stop rebel attacks along the railway route from Zouerat's iron mines to Nouadhibou, air strikes were launched in the provinces. The goal was to compel the rebels to free the captured French citizens.