BAMAKO, MALI – Fierce fighting has erupted in northern Mali following an attack by Tuareg rebels, who claim to have seized control of the town of Bamba from the army. The separatist fighters have reported killing more than 80 soldiers in the center of the country.
Thursday’s raid on the town of Dioura is the most southerly one since Tuareg rebels renewed hostilities in August after the collapse of a 2015 peace deal.
This has coincided with growing violence from Islamist militant groups, despite the deployment in December 2021 of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries.
The army had already been targeted in Bamba earlier in September by al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.
The military reported via a social media post that intense clashes erupted in Bamba on Sunday, commencing at 06:00. The combatants were not specifically identified, with the military only referring to them as “terrorists”.
An alliance of Tuareg groups, which includes the Co-ordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), has claimed control over the area surrounding Bamba. This town is strategically located on the left bank of the River Niger, nestled between the cities of Timbuktu and Gao.
The Tuareg rebels are advocating for the independence of northern Mali and have expressed their opposition to the army assuming control over bases that are being abandoned by the withdrawing UN troops.
Historically, these rebels were once allies with the Islamist militant groups that seized control of northern Mali in 2012. This takeover triggered interventions from France and subsequently the UN to prevent further southward advancement towards Bamako, the capital.
In 2015, the Tuareg groups signed the Algiers peace agreement with the government. However, despite this agreement, jihadist attacks continued from their desert strongholds.
The persistence of this insurgency was a significant factor leading to the military coup in 2020. The military justified their actions by accusing the civilian government of failing to maintain security. troops.
Historically, the rebels were once allies with the Islamist militant groups that took control of northern Mali in 2012. This takeover triggered interventions from France and subsequently the UN to prevent further southward advancement towards Bamako, the capital.
In 2015, these Tuareg groups signed the Algiers peace agreement with the government. However, despite this agreement, jihadist attacks continued from their desert strongholds.
The persistence of this insurgency was a significant factor leading to the military coup in 2020. The military justified their actions by accusing the civilian government of failing to maintain security.
The government has confirmed that an army base in the Mopti region was targeted, but has not provided further details. This escalation in violence comes as United Nations peacekeepers, who were deployed to Mali in 2013, begin their withdrawal on orders from the junta.
The Tuareg rebels, who are seeking independence for northern Mali, have expressed opposition to the army taking control of bases that are being vacated by the departing UN troops. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in combat.