Several Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers killed, claim separatists
Separatist rebels in northern Mali reported on Thursday that they killed dozens of fighters from the Russian mercenary group Wagner and government troops near the Algerian border at the end of July.
The Tuareg-led separatists indicated they killed 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian soldiers during three days of intense combat that commenced on July 25 at a military camp in Tinzaouatene, reported AFP.
The Strategic Framework for the Defence of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA) alliance stated that approximately 30 other troops or fighters, either “dead or seriously injured” were airlifted to Kidal, a key northern city. Additionally, it mentioned that some charred bodies were found inside armored vehicles and transport trucks.
The separatist alliance shared that they had taken seven Wagner and Malian government fighters hostage and that they had lost nine men in the fighting.
The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP), had also previously said that it had engaged in a deadly confrontation near Tinzaouaten, resulting in numerous fatalities.
The Al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) also claimed responsibility for attacking a Malian army convoy and allies from Wagner south of Tinzaouatene.
Analysts have noted that this incident marks the heaviest loss suffered by the Wagner group in Africa. Wagner, which previously led some of the Kremlin's extensive and deadly military campaigns in Ukraine until a brief rebellion against the Russian government, is now active in Africa.
The CSP-DPA claimed to have seized five armored vehicles, five pickup trucks, and several arms. The Wagner group attributed the rebels' upper hand to a sandstorm, which analysts believe negated the air support advantage of the Malian forces and their allies.
While engaging with the CSP-DPA, the separatists alleged that over 50 civilians of Nigerien, Sudanese, and Chadian origin were killed in drone attacks by neighboring Burkina Faso. The separatists cautioned Burkina Faso against getting involved “in a fighting that does not concern it.”
In response, the Malian army stated on Tuesday that it had conducted air attacks in the Tinzaouatene region with Burkina Faso following the recent fighting. Mali’s military acknowledged it had sustained “a large number” of casualties during the combat in the north last week.
Mali's military leaders, who gained power through a 2020 coup, have prioritized reclaiming the country from separatists and jihadist factions associated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Under Colonel Assimi Goita, the junta distanced itself from its traditional alliance with France (the former colonial ruler) and turned towards Russia.
Hostilities between Mali and the separatists reignited in August 2023 after an eight-year lull. In November, the military offensive peaked with the storming of the northern pro-independence stronghold of Kidal, a feat celebrated as a symbolic victory across Mali.
Despite the capture, the rebels refused to surrender their arms and dispersed across the mountainous desert region, pursued by Malian forces. Near Tinzaouatene, the conflicting parties engaged in three days of fierce fighting at the end of July, a scale of conflict not observed for months.
The Sahara desert, which encompasses regions of northern Mali, is home to the Tuareg people. A significant number of Tuareg express dissatisfaction with what they perceive as the Malian government's neglect and marginalisation.
In 2012, Tuareg separatists initiated an armed conflict against Mali, asserting their right to establish a sovereign state named Azawad. As the conflict progressed, their cause became intertwined with an Islamist insurgency in the area, which had ties to al Qaeda.
The Tuareg-led separatists indicated they killed 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian soldiers during three days of intense combat that commenced on July 25 at a military camp in Tinzaouatene, reported AFP.
The Strategic Framework for the Defence of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA) alliance stated that approximately 30 other troops or fighters, either “dead or seriously injured” were airlifted to Kidal, a key northern city. Additionally, it mentioned that some charred bodies were found inside armored vehicles and transport trucks.
The separatist alliance shared that they had taken seven Wagner and Malian government fighters hostage and that they had lost nine men in the fighting.
The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP), had also previously said that it had engaged in a deadly confrontation near Tinzaouaten, resulting in numerous fatalities.
The Al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) also claimed responsibility for attacking a Malian army convoy and allies from Wagner south of Tinzaouatene.
Analysts have noted that this incident marks the heaviest loss suffered by the Wagner group in Africa. Wagner, which previously led some of the Kremlin's extensive and deadly military campaigns in Ukraine until a brief rebellion against the Russian government, is now active in Africa.
The CSP-DPA claimed to have seized five armored vehicles, five pickup trucks, and several arms. The Wagner group attributed the rebels' upper hand to a sandstorm, which analysts believe negated the air support advantage of the Malian forces and their allies.
While engaging with the CSP-DPA, the separatists alleged that over 50 civilians of Nigerien, Sudanese, and Chadian origin were killed in drone attacks by neighboring Burkina Faso. The separatists cautioned Burkina Faso against getting involved “in a fighting that does not concern it.”
In response, the Malian army stated on Tuesday that it had conducted air attacks in the Tinzaouatene region with Burkina Faso following the recent fighting. Mali’s military acknowledged it had sustained “a large number” of casualties during the combat in the north last week.
Mali's military leaders, who gained power through a 2020 coup, have prioritized reclaiming the country from separatists and jihadist factions associated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Under Colonel Assimi Goita, the junta distanced itself from its traditional alliance with France (the former colonial ruler) and turned towards Russia.
Hostilities between Mali and the separatists reignited in August 2023 after an eight-year lull. In November, the military offensive peaked with the storming of the northern pro-independence stronghold of Kidal, a feat celebrated as a symbolic victory across Mali.
Despite the capture, the rebels refused to surrender their arms and dispersed across the mountainous desert region, pursued by Malian forces. Near Tinzaouatene, the conflicting parties engaged in three days of fierce fighting at the end of July, a scale of conflict not observed for months.
The Sahara desert, which encompasses regions of northern Mali, is home to the Tuareg people. A significant number of Tuareg express dissatisfaction with what they perceive as the Malian government's neglect and marginalisation.
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