DAKAR: Mali forces and their Russian allies on Thursday battled separatists near the border with Algeria, a spokesperson for the rebels said. The army that took power in 2020 has made a priority of securing all of the nation from separatists and militants. It claimed various victories in recent weeks and on Wednesday also launched an operation on Tinzaouatene, near the border with Algeria.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the CSP-DPA separatist alliance, said that Mali army and “Wagner group” had “attempted to take possession of Tinzaouatene, the last base of civilians who fled their exploitations.”
The spokesman said that they have inflicted many casualties on the Wagner and the auxiliaries of the Malian military. The Mali army did not react over the matter, but a military source stated the military was “continuing to secure its territory.” Another source speaking from the Algerian side stated that firing could be heard in Mali.
Separatists lost control of various districts in 2023 following a military offensive. There have been several allegations of rights abuses of the civilians by the army and Wagner group. However, Mali officials have rejected the accusations.
