Mali separatists claim deadly attack against army

Tuareg-dominated separatist groups claimed on Saturday that they had inflicted severe losses on the Malian military in an offensive in the country’s heart. The insurgents first claimed 98 dead troops, but subsequently lowered the tally to 81. The allegation was made in comments issued by the Permanent Strategic Framework, which is headed by the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), an alliance of primarily Tuareg factions demanding autonomy or independence from the Malian state. The insurgents also claimed to have injured scores of soldiers, seized five prisoners, and lost seven of their own fighters. Because of the remoteness of the impacted areas, assertions made by rebels and other sides participating in the war are difficult to verify. Access to independent sources is complicated by the conflict. The Malian army had only acknowledged an assault on one of its camps in Dioura in the Mopti region on Thursday, without giving further details. Despite the official information blackout, images and claims linked to the incident quickly spread online. If confirmed it would mark the CMA’s most southerly operation since it resumed attacks against the Malian army in the north of the country at the end of August. The north of Mali has seen a resumption of hostilities by the CMA and an intensification of jihadist attacks against the Malian army. Operations have targeted several army positions. The upsurge coincides with the ongoing withdrawal of the UN stabilisation force MINUSMA, which has been pushed out by the ruling junta Mali’s junta, which seized power in 2020, faces a multitude of security challenges throughout the poor and landlocked country. The military rulers also pushed a French anti-jihadist force to leave last year. Politically and militarily, it has turned to Russia. Many observers claim that it has enlisted the services of the Wagner mercenary group, despite its constant denials. The junta has made the restoration of sovereignty over the entire country one of its mantras and claims to be reversing the security trend. However, various experts are reporting a deterioration in the situation in a country that has been plunged into turmoil since 2012.