Mali’s military says it’s broken a rebel blockade around a strategic northern base
Summary
Mali’s military said it has broken a rebel blockade around an important army base in the north, near the towns of Kidal and Gao. The separatist group Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) attacked military reinforcements but later withdrew after heavy fighting.Key Facts
- The blockade was around the Anéfis army base, between separatist-held Kidal and military-controlled Gao.
- The FLA and al-Qaida-linked militants launched attacks, including ambushes on military convoys.
- Mali’s military, with help from Russian Africa Corps and local militias, managed to retake control after heavy fighting.
- The military reported destroying 12 combat vehicles and neutralizing about 100 militants in recent fighting.
- FLA said it withdrew to reorganize and claimed assistance from the militaries of Niger and Burkina Faso.
- FLA reported 5 dead and about 10 wounded on their side, and said the opposing forces had many deaths, but these claims are unverified.
- There have been repeated insurgencies and separatist attempts in northern Mali, aiming for an independent state called Azawad.
- Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have all faced increasing militant attacks and have shifted from Western to Russian military support after military coups.
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