Rebels clash with Wagner and Mali army, 21 people killed

This information was released by Tuareg rebels. The town, located near the border with Algeria, has been the target of drone attacks, which targeted a pharmacy and crowded places, resulting in the deaths of 21 civilians, including 11 children. In addition, dozens more were injured and there was significant material damage.

Mali's location on the map. Photo: BBC

The Tuareg rebel alliance, known as the Strategic Framework for the Protection of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA), blamed the Malian army and Wagner mercenaries, and claimed that Burkina Faso operated the UAVs in the attack.

The fighting near Tinzaouaten in late July may have been the Wagner Group's heaviest defeat since they began supporting Mali's military government against rebel groups two years ago. Tuareg rebels said they killed at least 84 Wagner troopers and 47 Malian soldiers. An al-Qaeda affiliate claimed to have killed 50 Wagner troopers and 10 Malian soldiers.

However, neither Mali nor Wagner released the number of soldiers killed, although Wagner acknowledged heavy losses.

The northern region of Mali has seen activity from both Tuareg rebels and jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS). Since Islamist groups seized power from the Tuareg uprising in 2012, Mali has faced persistent jihadist insurgency, leading to coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.

The military regimes subsequently severed ties with Western and regional allies, turning to Russia for support. Meanwhile, Tuareg rebels withdrew from negotiations with the Malian government in 2022.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/phien-quan-giao-chien-voi-wagner-va-quan-doi-mali-it-nhat-21-nguoi-thiet-mang-post309273.html