Militants linked to al Qaeda and a Tuareg-led separatist group ambushed a military convoy in northern Mali, killing more than 50 soldiers and allied Russian fighters and taking others hostage, according to a source close to the rebels.
The attack highlights the escalating violence in Mali and the growing threat posed by the alliance between al Qaeda-linked militants and Tuareg separatists, impacting the country's stability and its military-led government's ability to improve security.
Militants linked to al Qaeda and a Tuareg-led separatist group ambushed a military convoy in northern Mali over the weekend, with a source close to the rebels reporting that more than 50 soldiers and allied Russian fighters were killed and others taken hostage.
The attack occurred on Saturday between Anefis and the city of Gao. Mali's army stated the ambush took place in the Tabrichat area and that retaliatory airstrikes killed at least 20 insurgents. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed "dozens" of Malian soldiers and members of the Russian paramilitary Africa Corps were "neutralised" and that there was considerable material damage.
A source close to the FLA indicated that over 50 pro-government fighters were killed, though Reuters could not independently confirm the death toll. JNIM shared footage online that appeared to show soldiers surrendering and rebels firing on some captives. The Malian army has retained control of Anefis. The escalating violence poses a significant challenge to Mali's military-led government.