Azawad fighters ambush Malian soldiers, Wagner forces, kill 6

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Azawad fighters ambush Malian soldiers, Wagner forces, kill 6

At least six Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries have been killed in an ambush they had set for a vehicle belonging to the Azawad Liberation Front, about 80 kilometers from Anéfis in the Kidal region.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, in a post on his X handle.

Makama stated that sources revealed that a convoy of ten vehicles from the Malian army and Wagner forces had engaged a single vehicle carrying seven Azawadian fighters.

However, a heavy gun-battle ensued for more than two hours before they retreated.

According to the report, Malian and Wagner forces reportedly intercepted four civilian vehicles in the area in the aftermath of the gun battle.

“While one managed to escape, three others were targeted, resulting in the deaths of 28 civilians, including women, children, and foreign migrants,” Makama said.

He further noted that the Kidal region has been a flashpoint of conflict, with armed groups in Azawad continuing to challenge the presence of Malian and Wagner forces since the latter’s deployment in the country.