By At least 15 people, including children, were killed Sunday in drone strikes on the northern Malian town of Tinzaouaten, according to Tuareg rebel sources. The attacks come amid escalating tensions in the region following a major military setback for Malian forces and their Russian allies last month.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the rebel coalition known as the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP), reported that the strikes targeted civilian areas, including a home and a pharmacy. Speaking via telephone, Ramadane warned that the death toll could rise further as rescue efforts continue.
The Malian military has not responded to requests for comment on the incident.
Tinzaouaten, situated near the Algerian border, has been a focal point of recent clashes between government forces and insurgent groups. In late July, Tuareg and Islamist fighters inflicted significant casualties on Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries in the vicinity, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from Malian forces.
The recent attack marks a potential escalation in the conflict, with rebels claiming that Sunday’s drone strikes deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure. The incident has raised concerns about the protection of non-combatants in the ongoing struggle for control of northern Mali.
The July confrontation near Tinzaouaten may represent the heaviest losses for the Wagner Group since its involvement in Mali began two years ago. Tuareg rebels reported killing at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers, while an al-Qaida affiliate claimed to have eliminated 50 Wagner operatives and 10 Malian troops. Neither Mali nor Wagner have officially confirmed their casualties, though Wagner acknowledged suffering substantial losses.
The complex security situation in northern Mali involves various actors, including Tuareg separatists and jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State. The region has been embroiled in conflict since 2012 when Islamist groups co-opted a Tuareg rebellion, leading to widespread instability.
Frustrations over the government’s inability to restore security have contributed to a series of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020. The resulting military juntas have severed ties with Western and regional allies, instead turning to Russia for support.
The CSP, a coalition of Tuareg separatist groups, had previously signed a peace agreement with the Malian government in 2015. However, the group withdrew from talks in 2022, further complicating efforts to achieve lasting stability in the region.
As international observers watch closely, the latest drone strikes in Tinzaouaten underscore the ongoing challenges in resolving Mali’s protracted conflict and the devastating impact on civilian populations caught in the crossfire.
Source: VOA
