Tuareg separatists and their jihadist allies attacked a convoy of Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers on Thursday morning as they were en route to assist besieged units at a military camp in the city of Anefis in northern Mali.
Jihadists from the JNIM group, linked to Al-Qaeda, and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched coordinated assaults in Mali on Saturday and claimed control of Anefis. The city is crucial for maintaining dominance over the strategic northern city of Kidal, located approximately 100 kilometers away and remaining a stronghold of the Tuareg group. Russian paramilitary formations from the ‘African Corps’ and several Malian soldiers continue to hold positions in the military camp in Anefis.
Ambush on Convoy and Strategic Importance of Anefis
Kidal was recaptured by separatists during a major offensive just over two months ago. For the Malian government, retaining control over Anefis is a critical step toward potentially regaining Kidal. The complete expulsion of Malian forces from the city would enable the FLA and their jihadist allies to more effectively resist any future efforts to reclaim control over northern Mali.
After the first army reinforcement convoy from the large northern city of Gao was ambushed last Sunday, a second convoy was attacked on Thursday morning, with fierce fighting still ongoing. ‘Our forces engaged in battle this Thursday near Tabankort (northern Mali) against reinforcement forces consisting of 90 percent Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers,’ AFP reported Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadan, a spokesman for the FLA.
A Malian security source confirmed that fighting continues after ‘a convoy heading to Anefis fell into another ambush.’ According to the source, the convoy consists of ‘dozens of vehicles with air cover.’ A video released by the FLA showed intense gunfire in a desert area.
Russian Support and Regional Ties
Russia and its paramilitary formations of the ‘African Corps’ support the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—now part of the separatist Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—in their fight against jihadist groups that have killed tens of thousands across large parts of their territories. Moscow is also seeking closer ties with the AES countries in the energy and mining sectors.
Source: France 24
