In a deadly confrontation near the town of Anéfis in Mali’s volatile Kidal region, at least six Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries were killed during an ambush they had set for a vehicle belonging to the Azawad Liberation Front (ALF). The incident, which occurred approximately 80 kilometers from Anéfis, has further escalated tensions in the conflict-ridden area.
According to sources, a convoy of ten vehicles carrying Malian army troops and Wagner fighters engaged a single ALF vehicle transporting seven fighters. A fierce gun battle erupted, lasting over two hours, before the ALF forces retreated. Despite their numerical advantage, the Malian and Wagner forces suffered significant casualties.
In the aftermath of the clash, the situation took a tragic turn. Reports indicate that Malian and Wagner forces intercepted four civilian vehicles in the vicinity. While one vehicle managed to escape, the other three were targeted, resulting in the deaths of 28 civilians, including women, children, and foreign migrants. The circumstances surrounding the civilian casualties remain unclear, but the incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the escalating violence in the region.
The Kidal region has long been a hotspot for conflict, with armed groups from Azawad fiercely opposing the presence of Malian and Wagner forces since the latter’s deployment in the country. This latest incident underscores the fragile security situation and the devastating toll the ongoing conflict is taking on both combatants and civilians alike.
As tensions continue to rise, calls for accountability and a resolution to the violence are growing louder, with many urging an end to the cycle of bloodshed that has plagued the region for years.
