A fierce confrontation unfolded in northern Mali on Friday, as a coalition of separatists engaged Malian troops supported by mercenaries from the Moscow-run Africa Corps. The clashes, reported to be deadly, involved the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and came amid increasing tensions following a series of recent attacks on military forces.
According to a statement released by the FLA, the group claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Africa Corps, asserting that several dozen mercenaries were killed in the conflict. The FLA reported finding around 15 bodies left at the site of the skirmish. On its own side, the group acknowledged the loss of three fighters and indicated that seven more were wounded.
The FLA further indicated its success by claiming to have destroyed 21 military vehicles during the battle, which included various armored vehicles and armed pick-up trucks. Echoing the FLA’s narrative, the Malian army confirmed that a logistics convoy had been ambushed in the early hours of Friday, acknowledging the specific circumstances of the engagement.
Spokesman for the FLA, Mohamed Elmaouloud, expressed confidence in their operations, stating that they had “inflicted significant material damage and human losses among the enemy.” Meanwhile, the Malian army’s general staff mentioned that the skirmish occurred in the Kidal region, a notable area that had seen military operations targeting armed groups.
In its report, the military noted that during this engagement, they had killed “10 enemy combatants,” reflecting the heightened intensity of the clashes. Earlier this year, the Malian army had regained control over several districts previously held by separatists, including Kidal, a region known for its strong pro-independence sentiments.
The Africa Corps, which is recognized as the successor to the infamous Russian paramilitary group Wagner, has been deployed under the oversight of the Russian defense ministry and continues to provide support to various African governments. However, sources have indicated that Wagner has departed from Mali recently.
Commenting on the situation, a regional elected official remarked on the ferocity of the Friday clashes, noting that losses were substantial on both sides, though definitive casualty figures remain unconfirmed.
Mali has faced ongoing violence since 2012, primarily from jihadist factions affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as from various local armed groups. The FLA was established late last year as a coalition formed from several predominantly Tuareg groups, signaling a new phase in the region’s complex struggles for autonomy and stability.
