Image: from Brant X @BrantPhilip_
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
Northern Mali has witnessed another major escalation in its long-running conflict after Tuareg separatists and Al Qaeda-linked jihadists launched coordinated attacks against convoys carrying Russian mercenaries and Malian government troops heading toward the strategic town of Anefis.
The latest offensive marks one of the most significant challenges faced by Mali’s military authorities in recent months and highlights the increasingly fragile security situation across the country’s north, despite years of military operations and foreign support.
According to the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA), separatist forces attacked a reinforcement convoy near Tabankort on Thursday as it attempted to reach Anefis, where Russian personnel from Africa Corps and Malian soldiers remain stationed inside a military base.
FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane said the convoy consisted primarily of Russian mercenaries supported by Malian government troops. He claimed separatist fighters engaged the force in intense combat after launching an ambush along the desert route.
A Malian security source also confirmed that the convoy had come under attack while moving toward Anefis, describing the force as comprising dozens of military vehicles supported by aerial assets.
A new battle for Anefis has begun. 🇷🇺🇲🇱 🏳️
On Saturday 4 July, the JNIM/FLA coalition launched a series of attacks against the FAMa/Afrika Corps troops besieged in Anefis. The attack was repelled, with heavy losses among the militants.
Map: [ https://t.co/kPJ5CV61C5 ] pic.twitter.com/uk62SGCOP4— @Suriyak (@Suriyakmaps) July 8, 2026
Videos circulated by the FLA appeared to show heavy exchanges of gunfire across the desert battlefield, although independent verification of the footage has not been possible.
Strategic battle for northern Mali
The attacks form part of a wider offensive launched jointly by the FLA and Jama’at Nasr al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an Al Qaeda-affiliated militant organization that has steadily expanded its influence across the Sahel.
The separatists claim they have taken control of Anefis, a strategically important location situated roughly 100 kilometers south of Kidal. Control of the town is considered vital for maintaining supply routes and military access throughout northern Mali.
Earlier this week, another government reinforcement convoy departing from Gao was reportedly ambushed before reaching the area, forcing military authorities to dispatch additional forces.
Despite the renewed offensive, Russian Africa Corps personnel and a contingent of Malian troops continue to hold a military installation inside Anefis.
Persistent instability despite military rule
Since military coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali has been governed by a military junta that pledged to restore security after years of insurgency.
The government has increasingly relied on Russian military assistance following the withdrawal of French forces and the end of several Western security missions.
However, insurgent violence has continued across large parts of the country, with separatist groups and jihadist organizations regularly launching attacks against military positions, convoys and infrastructure.
The latest clashes underline the continuing difficulty faced by Mali’s authorities in securing the country’s vast northern territories, where multiple armed groups continue to contest government control.