Dozens of Malian soldiers killed in ambush near Anefis
At least 50 Malian soldiers have been killed in an attack by Tuareg separatists and jihadists as they left the northern town of Anefis, according to officials. The attack targeted an army convoy following weeks of fighting for control of the area. Both the Tuareg FLA and Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM claimed responsibility for the assault. The incident is described as one of the deadliest suffered by the Malian army in recent years.
What we know
- Officials reported that over 50 Malian soldiers were killed and at least 24 taken prisoner in the attack.
- The army convoy was ambushed as it left Anefis, after weeks of clashes between opposing forces.
- Fighters from the Tuareg FLA and JNIM had previously captured Anefis and surrounded a military base used by the Malian army and Russian paramilitaries.
- Russian paramilitaries supporting the army had already reached Gao and did not suffer casualties.
- Mali’s military government has faced ongoing challenges in restoring security amid persistent jihadist and separatist violence.
