Illustrative image.
The separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched a new large-scale offensive in northeastern Mali on July 4, with reports suggesting that al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is also taking part.
The two groups a similar offensive across the Sahel country last April, and managed to make some notable gains, specifically in the Kidal region where the largest city was captured by the militants.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the FLA, told Reuters that the group’s militants are now attacking town of Anefis in Kidal.
Meanwhile, the Russian Africa Corps reported that the town of Aguelhok, also located in Kidal, and the city of Gao in the region carrying the same name were also under attack.
“Units of the African Corps, jointly with the Malian Army, are successfully conducting combat operations to repel the assault on peaceful cities,” the corps said in a brief English-language statement posted to its official Telegram channel.
“The terrorists are conducting an intense propaganda campaign in the media and on social networks, which has nothing to do with reality,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) reported additional attacks in the city of Sévaré in the Mopti region in central Mali, and in the town of Kenieroba in the region of Koulikoro in the southwest of the country. These attacks are likely being carried out by JNIM.
Military commanders took power in Mali after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security in the country where militants control large areas in the north and center.
Under the leadership of Gen. Assimi Goita, Mali moved away from France, and built strong relations with both Russia and Turkey. The military government has been also pursuing closer ties with the United States.
The convenience alliance between JNIM and FLA may not last long. JNIM seeks to replace established state authority with a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, while the FLA was founded by several Tuareg movements based on its demands for the independence or autonomy of Azawad.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
