Heavy Fighting Continues Following Attack Near Tabankort
Several casualties have been reported after Tuareg separatist rebels ambushed a Malian army convoy in northern Mali on Saturday, according to military and security officials.
The convoy was travelling from the strategic town of Anefis to Gao when it came under attack near Tabankort, triggering intense fighting.
A military source based in Gao confirmed that the convoy had been caught in an ambush, with clashes continuing as soldiers attempted to respond to the assault.
A source from the Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) also confirmed the attack, while security officials said the Malian army suffered significant losses despite part of the convoy managing to continue its journey.
Officials have not released an official casualty figure, but local authorities described the losses as heavy, with reports indicating there were numerous deaths and injuries.
Images shared by the FLA allegedly showed dozens of Malian soldiers captured during the attack. The authenticity of the images has not been independently verified.
The latest violence follows fierce battles earlier this month after fighters from the FLA and the Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group JNIM temporarily seized Anefis on July 4.
On July 10, Malian forces, supported by Russian paramilitary fighters from Africa Corps, recaptured the town after several days of intense fighting.
According to the Malian military, the earlier clashes in Anefis left around 30 soldiers dead and about 60 others injured.
Mali has faced an ongoing jihadist insurgency since 2012, with armed groups continuing to launch attacks despite repeated military operations aimed at restoring security across the country.
