The Malian Armed Forces have declared a significant shift in the conflict, asserting control over multiple zones previously contested by armed factions. These advances come amid intensified clashes with the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad in northern regions, as well as against the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated faction operating in central and southern Mali.
Recovering strategic positions
In a formal statement, the Malian military reported that renewed fighting erupted on Sunday near Anifif, a strategic location in the northeast, roughly 110 kilometers south of Kidal. The clashes followed the arrival of reinforcements for the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, prompting a robust response from Malian forces.
« Despite attempts to destabilize our positions, our troops demonstrated unwavering resolve, » the army’s statement emphasized. « They maintained combat operations with discipline and courage throughout the day, securing key terrain and reasserting control. »
The military’s communiqué underscored an unshaken confidence in the nation’s defense capabilities, vowing to « defend Mali’s unity, protect its people, and dismantle enemy forces. »
Claims and counterclaims on the ground
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, Mohamed Mouloud Ramadan, contested the army’s narrative, asserting that his forces maintained dominance in Anfif. He dismissed reports of a leadership casualty, confirming that Mbarek Ag Akli remains actively involved in directing military operations in the north.
The contrasting accounts highlight the fluid and volatile nature of the conflict, where control over territory and narratives remains fiercely contested.