Gao Region, Mali (Running Africa) — More than 50 Malian soldiers and allied Russian Africa Corps fighters were reportedly killed after a military convoy was ambushed in northern Mali, according to a source close to Tuareg separatist rebels, in one of the deadliest attacks on government forces in recent months.

The attack occurred on Saturday along the road between Anefis and Gao, an area that has witnessed renewed fighting between Malian security forces, separatist movements and Islamist armed groups.

Rebel Alliance Claims Responsibility

The ambush was claimed by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked militant group that has intensified attacks across Mali and the wider Sahel region.

The rebel alliance said it inflicted heavy losses on government forces and captured several soldiers during the assault. However, the reported casualty figures and claims of captured troops have not been independently verified.

Malian Army Launches Airstrikes

In response, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) said they carried out airstrikes against the attackers, killing at least 20 insurgents.

Military officials maintained that government forces continue to hold Anefis, despite recent attempts by armed groups to seize the strategic town.

Violence Escalates Across Northern Mali

The latest ambush comes amid a sharp increase in coordinated attacks by insurgent and separatist groups operating across northern and central Mali.

Recent weeks have seen attacks targeting military positions, including strikes near the capital Bamako, as well as renewed offensives aimed at expanding rebel influence in the Gao region.

The deteriorating security situation underscores the growing complexity of the conflict, where government forces are confronting both separatist factions and jihadist groups seeking greater territorial control.

Military Government Faces Mounting Security Pressure

The escalating violence presents another major challenge for Mali’s military-led government, which came to power following coups in 2020 and 2021 with a pledge to restore national security and combat insurgent violence.

Despite increased military operations and support from the Russian Africa Corps, armed groups continue to stage large-scale attacks across the country, highlighting the persistent instability that has gripped Mali and much of the Sahel.

The latest ambush is expected to intensify concerns over regional security as authorities continue efforts to counter insurgent activity and stabilize one of West Africa’s most volatile conflict zones.