Tuareg Rebels Clash with Malian Forces near Algerian Border

Mali's northern Tuareg rebels have reported killing and injuring dozens of soldiers and Wagner mercenaries in a two-day conflict near the Algerian border. The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development claimed to have captured vehicles and damaged a helicopter. The Malian army confirmed losses but downplayed the incident.

Mali's northern Tuareg rebels announced they had killed and injured dozens of soldiers and Wagner mercenaries during two days of intense combat near the Algerian border. This comes after the Malian army reported losing two soldiers but claimed to have neutralized approximately 20 rebels.

According to the rebel group, the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD), they seized armoured vehicles, trucks, and tankers in battles at the border town of Tinzaouaten on Thursday and Friday. In addition, the rebels damaged a helicopter, which subsequently crashed in Kidal, a town located hundreds of kilometres away.

The Malian army confirmed two fatalities and ten injuries among its troops. Their statements indicated that a helicopter had crashed in Kidal on Friday during a routine mission, with no fatalities reported.

The Tuareg, an ethnic group residing in the Sahara region, have long felt marginalized by the Malian government. They initiated an insurgency against Mali's junta government in 2012, which was later commandeered by Islamist groups. A peace agreement was signed in 2015, but the CSP-PSD withdrew from talks with Bamako at the end of 2022.

(With inputs from agencies.)