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Dozens of militants have been killed after launching a large-scale offensive in Mali on July 4, with initial reports indicating that they have so far failed to make any meaningful gains.
The attack was launched by the separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) in the early morning. The al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is reported to backing the offensive, although this is yet to be confirmed by the terrorist group.
Most of the fighting is taking place in towns of Anefis and Aguelhok, located in the region of Kidal, as well as in the city of Gao in the region carrying the same name in northeastern Mali.
The FLA reported advance in Anefis early on, with reports indicating that militants from the group managed to storm some military sites there. However, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) is still fighting there with support from the Russian Africa Corps.
Additional attacks were reported in the city of Sévaré in the Mopti region in central Mali, and in the town of Kenieroba in the region of Koulikoro in the southwest of the country.
There have been also reports of fighting near Kenioroba prison, about 60 kilometers southwest of the capital, Bamako. JNIM is most likely involved there.
The FAMa said in its latest statement that it had the situation “totally under control,” and reported that more than 20 militants were killed.
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Nevertheless, videos and photos shared by the Africa Corps indicate that the number of militants killed in the early hours of the attack is far more. Many militants were apparently killed in close clashes, while others were killed in strikes carried out by jets and drones.
The FLA and JNIM launched a similar offensive across Mali last April, and managed to make some notable gains, specifically in Kidal where the largest city was captured by the militants. However, it is clear that the new offensive is failing.
The convenience alliance between may not hold up for long if the offensive fails. JNIM seeks to replace established state authority with a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, while the FLA was founded by several Tuareg movements based on its demands for the independence or autonomy of Azawad.
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more importantly kiev is burning, zelensgay is racking up lines of colombian dust like there is no tomorrow for him, and the glory of russia is unequalled anywhere in this universe…hehehehe