Jihadi militants and a separatist group ambushed a Malian army convoy in the country’s northern Gao region on Saturday, with rebels claiming scores of soldiers were killed or captured. The Malian army confirmed the attack in a statement, acknowledging that armed groups ambushed the convoy of Malian soldiers and their partners in a remote area.
The Malian army stated that a counterattack was underway but did not provide further details on casualties or the extent of material damage. Both the regional al-Qaida affiliate Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed responsibility for the attack in separate statements. They reported "great human losses" and "serious material damage" inflicted upon the Malian army.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, an FLA spokesperson, stated, "There were many soldiers killed, others captured alive. Army cars including armored cars were destroyed and others seized in good condition." The rebels released videos purportedly showing Malian soldiers surrendering while surrounded by militants. One video appeared to show rebels firing on soldiers lying on the ground, though the Associated Press could not independently verify the authenticity of these videos.
This incident marks the latest in a series of attacks by armed groups against Malian security forces in recent months. These groups are reportedly competing for influence and territory in the Sahel region, a vast area south of the Sahara Desert that has become a focal point for extremist violence. Tuareg-led separatist groups have long sought to establish an independent state named Azawad in northern Mali, merging into the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) in 2024.
Observers note that the increasing collaboration between the FLA and JNIM poses significant risks to Mali's stability and its ruling junta. The two groups have notably worked together on attacks against Malian forces, including a major coordinated assault in April, described as the largest in over a decade in the West African nation.