Malian Forces Retake Key Northern Town

July 10, 2026

(FILES) Colonel Assimi Goita, president of the CNSP (National Committee for the Salvation of the People), arrives at the funeral of former Mali President General Moussa Traore in Bamako on September 18, 2020. In the wake of new coordinated attacks by jihadists and their Tuareg allies across Mali, the ruling junta appears more threatened and isolated than ever in Bamako and in its neighboring stronghold, the garrison town of Kati. A little over two months after launching a major offensive that weakened the ruling military, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadists of JNIM and the separatists of the FLA (Azawad Liberation Front) carried out new attacks from the north to the south of the country, demonstrating their ability to harass the central government across the vast expanse of this hard-to-control Sahelian nation. (Photo by MICHELE CATTANI / AFP)

Mali’s military has regained control of the strategic northern town of Anefis after nearly a week of clashes with rebel groups, according to Tuareg insurgents and a military source.

The fighting began last Saturday when Al-Qaeda-linked militants from the JNIM group and Tuareg separatist fighters under the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA) launched coordinated attacks in northern Mali. The groups claimed to have taken control of Anefis but were unable to seize the military camp located in the town.

Malian soldiers and fighters from the Russian Africa Corps paramilitary group remained inside the camp throughout the assault, defending the position against the attackers.

A military source told AFP that reinforcements later arrived to support troops stationed in Anefis.

“I can tell you that Malian troops and the Africa Corps partners broke through the obstacles and arrived in Anefis to reinforce our troops who were on the ground,” the source said.

The reinforcement operation involved a convoy of dozens of vehicles that travelled from the regional hub of Gao, supported by air cover. Despite facing attacks from rebel fighters along the route, the forces reached Anefis on Thursday evening and retook control of the town.

Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) ride on the back of pickup trucks in Kidal (Photo by AFP)

FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane confirmed that his fighters had withdrawn from Anefis, saying the decision was made for strategic reasons.

“We decided to leave Anefis for strategic reasons and to avoid civilian casualties,” Ramadane told AFP.

The development comes months after JNIM and FLA fighters launched a major offensive in northern Mali, capturing the important town of Kidal in April and killing the country’s defence minister during the operation.

Mali has been governed by military leaders since coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta had promised to restore stability in the country, which has faced a prolonged security crisis since 2012. However, violence involving jihadist groups and separatist movements has continued across large parts of the country.

The recapture of Anefis represents a significant battlefield gain for Mali’s military, but challenges remain as authorities continue efforts to contain armed groups operating in the country’s north.

Author

Tope Oke

Temitope is a storyteller driven by a passion for the intricate world of geopolitics, the raw beauty of wildlife, and the dynamic spirit of sports. As both a writer and editor, he excels at crafting insightful and impactful narratives that not only inform but also inspire and advocate for positive change. Through his work, he aims to shed light on complex issues, celebrate diverse perspectives, and encourage readers to engage with the world around them in a more meaningful way.