Mali Rebels Ambush Army Convoy, Killing or Capturing Scores of Soldiers Islamic militants and a separatist group launched an ambush on a Malian army convoy in the country’s northern region on Saturday, resulting in the deaths or capture of multiple soldiers, according to the rebels. The attack occurred in a remote area of the Gao region, a zone frequently targeted by armed groups seeking to expand their influence in the Sahel. The Malian army confirmed the incident, stating that armed groups ambushed the convoy of soldiers and their partners, prompting counterattacks. The attack marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between security forces and militant factions vying for control over territory in the region. The military’s response included “precision strikes against enemy positions” in the area, as stated in a Sunday update. The army claimed to have neutralized several terrorists and freed the convoy from the ambush, allowing it to continue its route. Both the regional al-Qaida affiliate JNIM and the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as a joint operation. The groups emphasized the significant casualties and material losses suffered by the Malian army, including the destruction of armored vehicles and the capture of soldiers. The FLA spokesperson, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, detailed the attack’s impact, stating that “many soldiers were killed, others captured alive. Army cars, including armored cars, were destroyed and others seized in good condition.” The convoy, which was traveling from the northern town of Anefis to Gao city, was ambushed in the Sahara desert. While the exact nature of the convoy remained unclear, fuel tankers were observed, suggesting it could have been a logistics convoy supporting military operations.#mali #jnim #fla #gao #sahel
