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Malian Soldiers Killed in Attack by Rebels in Anéfis
Confirmed
In Short: At least 50 Malian soldiers were killed in an attack by Tuareg separatists and jihadists in Anéfis, northern Mali, according to local officials.
At least 50 Malian soldiers were killed in an attack by Tuareg separatists and jihadists in Anéfis, northern Mali, according to local officials on Sunday (July 19, 2026). The attack, which involved fighters from the Tuareg separatist Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), briefly captured the town and encircled a military base used by the Malian army and Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps.
The provisional toll of the attack is extremely heavy — more than 50 soldiers killed and at least 24 prisoners, said a local elected official close to the ruling junta. The official, who asked to remain anonymous, stated that it was the deadliest attack suffered by the Malian army in years.
A source within the Malian army said, 'Some of our men were simply executed,' and that an investigation was under way to determine any tactical failures. The attack highlights the ongoing conflict in northern Mali between Malian forces and various rebel groups.
The incident occurred in early July, when fighters from the FLA and JNIM briefly captured the town and encircled a military base used by the Malian army and Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps.
What's confirmed
- Published - July 19, 2026 11:11 pm IST - Bamako This photo released by the Azaward Liberation Front shows what they say is the aftermath of an attack by FLA separatists and jihadist militants in Gao, northern Mali,…
- In early July, fighters from the Tuareg separatist FLA and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) briefly captured the town and encircled a military base used by the Malian army and…
What's still developing
- “The provisional toll of the attack is extremely heavy — more than 50 soldiers killed and at least 24 prisoners,” said a local elected official close to the ruling junta.
- The official, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was the deadliest attack suffered by the Malian army in years.
- “Some of our men were simply executed,” said a source within the Malian army, adding that an investigation was under way to determine any tactical failures.