Violent Clash in Northern Mali Leaves Multiple Dead, Wounded
A fierce two-day battle between Tuareg rebels and the Malian army, backed by Russian mercenaries, has left multiple people dead and wounded in the northern region of Mali. The conflict, which took place near the Algerian border, has raised concerns about the ongoing political turmoil in the region.
According to reports from the Tuareg rebels, they killed and wounded several government soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries during the clashes. The Malian military confirmed the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to 10 others. The rebels also claimed to have seized armoured vehicles, trucks, and tankers, as well as causing damage to a helicopter that crashed in the town of Kidal, hundreds of kilometres away.
The fighting has been intense, with videos shared on social media showing motionless bodies of several white men and Malian soldiers lying near wrecked vehicles. Reports from Russian military bloggers indicated that approximately 20 Wagner group members were killed in an ambush near the Algerian border.
The information provided by the bloggers remains unverifiable independently, despite their assertions. However, the Malian army verified that two soldiers were killed and 10 were injured, with a helicopter crashing in Kidal during a routine mission on Friday, resulting in no casualties.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the pro-independence CSP-DPA coalition, stated in a press release that the rebels successfully defeated the Malian army and Russian mercenaries, with the enemy suffering significant casualties in both personnel and equipment. Ramadane also noted that several Malian soldiers and Wagner group mercenaries surrendered to the Tuareg fighters.
The Tuareg people inhabit the Sahara region, with some residing in northern Mali. They often feel marginalized by the Malian government, which has been grappling with political turmoil stemming from recent coups. In 2012, a separatist group launched an insurgency against Mali’s junta government, which was later taken over by Islamist factions.
Wagner contractors have been operating in Mali since at least 2021 and were deeply engaged in fierce conflicts during Russia’s involvement in the war in Ukraine. However, their future became unclear following the death of their commander, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane accident in August 2023, following a brief uprising against the Russian armed forces.
Mali’s ongoing conflict has been marked by numerous violent incidents, including a recent wedding attack that killed 21 people. The country’s government has been struggling to maintain control over the vast desert region, which has been a hotbed of Islamist militant activity.
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