Dozens of Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers were killed in a recent ambush by Tuareg rebels near the Algerian border, marking a significant setback for Mali’s army and its Russian allies. The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (CSP-PSD), a coalition of armed groups in Mali’s predominantly Tuareg north, claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the capture of armored vehicles, trucks, and tankers.
Tuareg Rebels eliminates dozens of Russian-Backed Malian Forces in Kidal Region, captured several weiner soldiers
*Location:* Kidal Region, Northern Mali (Azawad), near Algerian border
Tuareg rebels successfully defended their territory in the Kidal region of Northern Mali… pic.twitter.com/LmTBMBHaiP
— Zagazola (@ZagazOlaMakama) July 28, 2024
The fighting occurred over two days near the border town of Tinzaouatene. The Malian army reported two soldiers killed and ten wounded, while the CSP-PSD stated they had killed dozens of government soldiers and Wagner mercenaries. On social media, videos circulated showing the bodies of white men and Malian soldiers, alongside destroyed vehicles.
A spokesperson for the CSP-PSD, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, confirmed the group’s control over Tinzaouatene and further south in the Kidal region. He also reported that Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries had fled or surrendered.
The Malian army issued a statement acknowledging the loss of two soldiers and ten injuries, along with the destruction of two armored vehicles and two pickup trucks. They claimed to have killed around 20 rebels and destroyed several vehicles. Additionally, the army reported a helicopter crash in Kidal during a routine mission, attributing it to technical difficulties rather than combat damage.
Update:
Fighters from Azawad have released a video of the destruction of “Wagner” mercenaries in Mali, near the border with Algeria. Explosive devices were set along the column’s path. Tanks were destroyed, and a large part of the Russian squad was wiped out. The Wagner Mi-24… pic.twitter.com/4iS0r5CmeQ
— Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) July 28, 2024
This clash represents the most significant blow to Wagner mercenaries in Mali to date. The Wagner Group, which has been active in Mali since 2021, provides military support to the Malian government following a series of coups that shifted the country’s alliances from France to Russia. The group has faced previous accusations of human rights abuses, which Mali’s authorities have denied.
Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, emphasized that this battle sends a clear message to the government about the challenges of recapturing and controlling northern regions. Lyammouri warned that the setback might lead to further atrocities against civilians by the government and Wagner forces.
Mali has been plagued by violence from jihadist and criminal groups since 2012. The current junta, led by Colonel Assimi Goita, took power in 2020 and 2021 and has prioritized retaking control from separatist and jihadist forces, particularly in the pro-independence northern bastion of Kidal.
🇲🇱⚡ The Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for the attack on a convoy of the Malian Armed Forces and the Wagner PMC. The attack appears to have been coordinated with Azawad Tuareg militants, who reportedly… pic.twitter.com/P6hBYXRB2z
— War Watch (@WarWatchs) July 28, 2024
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