Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane reports that a Malian army convoy was ambushed by a coalition of rebel and militant forces in the north.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), confirmed that a Malian army convoy was ambushed in the northern Gao region on Saturday. The attack was a joint operation between the separatist FLA and the al-Qaida-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The convoy, which included Malian soldiers and Russian Africa Corps fighters, was traveling from the town of Anefis toward Gao when it was struck near Tabrichat. While the Malian army did not release official casualty figures, reports suggest at least 50 soldiers were killed and 24 were taken prisoner. The rebels released footage showing soldiers surrendering and being captured. In response, the Malian military launched precision air strikes against enemy positions to neutralize several terrorists. These operations allowed the convoy to break free and continue its route. The ongoing conflict highlights the struggle of the ruling junta to maintain stability against competing extremist and separatist groups in the Sahel region.

Sources