Rebel Coalition in Mali Claims to Have Killed Dozens of Soldiers and Russian Wagner Mercenaries

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A coalition of armed groups in Mali’s predominantly Tuareg north has made a bold claim, stating that they killed dozens of government soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group during a fierce battle near the Algerian border. This assertion, made on Saturday, has raised significant concerns about the ongoing conflict in the region.

Amateur videos circulating on social media depict the aftermath of the clash, showing lifeless bodies of several foreign fighters alongside Malian soldiers, as well as destroyed military vehicles scattered across the battlefield. The stark imagery underscores the violence that has engulfed the area, highlighting the escalating tensions between the rebel factions and government forces.

The rebel claim follows a statement from the Malian army, which reported on Friday night that two of its soldiers had been killed and ten others wounded in a rebel attack. The army also noted that two armored vehicles and two pickup trucks were rendered inoperable during the confrontation. In response, the military claimed to have killed approximately 20 rebels and destroyed several of their vehicles, although these assertions remain unverified.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the pro-independence CSP-DPA coalition, provided further details about the conflict, stating that a two-day battle took place on the outskirts of Tinzawaten village. He asserted that the rebels successfully "routed the entire column of Malian army and Russian mercenaries," inflicting significant casualties on their adversaries. Ramadane claimed that the enemy suffered "huge losses in terms of lives and equipment," including dozens of dead and wounded. He also mentioned that some Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries had surrendered to the Tuareg fighters, a development that, if confirmed, would represent a significant setback for the Wagner group in Mali.

Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a think tank based in Morocco, commented on the implications of the battle. He suggested that the conflict serves as a stark reminder to the Malian government that regaining control over the northern regions will not be a straightforward task. "Things are not going to be as easy and as simple when it comes to recapturing and controlling northern regions," Lyammouri stated. He also warned that this setback could lead to further atrocities against civilians, as the government and Wagner forces may retaliate in response to their losses.

As the situation in Mali continues to evolve, the claims made by the rebel coalition highlight the complexities of the conflict and the challenges faced by both the government and foreign mercenaries in maintaining stability in the region. The international community watches closely, as the potential for increased violence and civilian suffering looms large.