The coalition of armed groups in Mali’s predominantly Tuareg north claimed to have killed dozens of government soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group in a battle near the border with Algeria. Social media videos showed the bodies of white men and Malian soldiers on the ground, alongside destroyed vehicles. The Malian army reported two soldiers killed and 10 wounded in a rebel attack that also disabled armored vehicles and pickup trucks. They claimed to have killed approximately 20 rebels and destroyed vehicles, but neither side’s account could be verified independently.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesperson for the pro-independence CSP-DPA coalition, stated that a two-day battle took place on the outskirts of Tinzawaten village, where the rebels allegedly defeated the Malian army and Russian mercenaries. Ramadane claimed that the enemy suffered significant losses in terms of lives and equipment, with dozens of casualties reported. He also mentioned that some Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries surrendered to the Tuareg fighters. If true, this battle would be the most significant blow inflicted by Tuareg rebels on Wagner mercenaries in Mali.
Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, expressed concerns that this defeat for the government and Wagner mercenaries could lead to further atrocities against civilians. He suggested that the battle served as a message to the government that recapturing and controlling northern regions would not be easy. The conflict in Mali’s north has long been a source of instability, with armed groups vying for control and insurgencies threatening the security of the region. The involvement of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group has added a new dimension to the conflict.
The Wagner group, a private military company linked to Russia, has been accused of human rights abuses in various conflict zones, including Mali. Their presence in the country has raised concerns about their role in the ongoing conflict and their impact on civilian populations. The government’s reliance on such mercenaries to combat rebel groups has also drawn criticism from human rights organizations and the international community. The latest battle near the border with Algeria highlights the complexities of the conflict in Mali and the challenges faced in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Tuareg rebels’ claimed victory over government soldiers and Russian mercenaries is a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Mali. The rebel coalition’s ability to defeat trained soldiers and mercenaries demonstrates their strength and determination to fight for independence in the northern regions. The loss of dozens of lives and equipment in the battle underscores the high stakes involved in the conflict and the impact on civilian populations caught in the crossfire. The international community must closely monitor the situation in Mali and support efforts to reach a peaceful resolution that addresses the root causes of the conflict and ensures the protection of all people in the region.
