BAMAKO, Mali

– A coalition of armed groups in northern Mali, predominantly composed of Tuareg fighters, has claimed responsibility for a significant attack that reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous government soldiers and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group. The confrontation occurred near the Algerian border, with social media posts displaying graphic footage of casualties, including both Malian soldiers and foreign fighters, alongside destroyed military vehicles. The Malian army had previously reported a smaller scale of casualties, stating that two soldiers were killed and ten wounded during a rebel assault that also damaged military equipment. In contrast, the Tuareg coalition, known as CSP-DPA, asserted that their forces engaged in a two-day battle near Tinzawaten village, claiming to have "routed" the Malian army and inflicted heavy losses on their adversaries, including the surrender of some soldiers and Wagner mercenaries. Experts are weighing in on the implications of this conflict, with Rida Lyammouri from the Policy Center for the New South highlighting the message sent to the Malian government regarding the challenges of regaining control over northern territories. He warned that this setback could lead to increased violence against civilians as the government and Wagner forces may retaliate. The situation remains fluid, with neither side's claims being independently verified, underscoring the complexities and ongoing volatility in Mali's security landscape.