At least 50 Malian soldiers killed in deadly ambush in northern Mali

At least 50 Malian soldiers were killed and at least 24 captured after their convoy was ambushed while leaving the northern town of Anefis. The attack, claimed by Tuareg separatists and an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, followed weeks of fighting over the strategic town. Mali has launched an investigation into the deadly assault.

At least 50 Malian soldiers have been killed after their convoy was ambushed in northern Mali, in one of the deadliest attacks against the country's military in recent years.
The attack took place on Saturday as government troops withdrew from the strategic town of Anefis following weeks of intense fighting involving Tuareg separatist fighters and Islamist militants.
Officials said dozens of soldiers were also captured, while investigations have begun into how the convoy became vulnerable to the attack.

DEADLY AMBUSH ON MILITARY CONVOY

According to local officials, the soldiers were leaving Anefis when their convoy was attacked by fighters from the Tuareg separatist Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) and an al-Qaeda-linked armed group.
The convoy was reportedly travelling towards Gao when it was ambushed.
A local elected official, speaking anonymously, said the provisional death toll had exceeded 50 soldiers, with at least 24 others taken prisoner.
If confirmed, the incident would rank among the deadliest attacks on Mali's armed forces in recent years.

WEEKS OF FIGHTING BEFORE THE ATTACK

The ambush followed weeks of heavy clashes around Anefis, a strategically important town in northern Mali.
Earlier this month, Tuareg separatists and an al-Qaeda-linked militant group briefly seized control of the town before surrounding a military base occupied by Malian troops and Russian paramilitary personnel from Africa Corps.
The battle for Anefis reflects the continuing struggle for control of northern Mali, where government forces, separatist groups and Islamist militants have fought for years.

MALIAN ARMY INVESTIGATING

A military source said some soldiers were reportedly executed during the attack.
The source added that authorities have launched an investigation to determine what tactical failures may have contributed to the heavy losses.
Officials are examining how the convoy became exposed despite ongoing military operations in the area.

RUSSIAN PARAMILITARIES ESCAPE LOSSES

Sources said Russian personnel from Africa Corps, who support the Malian military, had already reached Gao before the convoy was attacked and were not involved in the ambush.
Community leaders also confirmed that those killed were members of the Malian army and allied local militias.
The Malian military acknowledged on Saturday that its convoy had "fallen into an ambush laid by terrorist armed groups" but did not immediately release casualty figures.

CONTINUING INSTABILITY

Northern Mali remains one of the country's most unstable regions, where government forces continue to battle both jihadist organisations and Tuareg separatist movements.
The latest attack underscores the serious security challenges facing Mali despite years of military operations and international support aimed at restoring stability.
Authorities are expected to release further details as investigations into the ambush continue.