Since Mauritania negotiated a boundary dispute with Mali in 1963, ties between the two countries have been mostly cordial.

[1] Mali and Mauritania have cooperated on several development projects, such as the OMVS and a plan to improve roads between Nouakchott and Bamako.

[1] This cooperation somewhat lessened Mali's dependence on Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.

The operation was a failure and left 7 AQIM members and 2 Mauritanian soldiers dead, with the hostage being executed.

The operation was heavily criticized with it being considered to be an "unannounced declaration of war" against Mali.