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On July 7, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) announced that more than 200 militants have been killed in Anéfis, in northeastern Kidal region, since the separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched an offensive to seize the town.
In addition to Anéfis, the large-scale offensive that began three days earlier targeted Aguelhok in the Kidal region, Gao in the northeastern Gao region, Sévaré, Konna and Somadougou in the central Mopti region, and Kenieroba in the southwestern Koulikoro region. It also included an attack on Kenieroba prison, southwest of the capital, Bamako.
Radio France Internationale reported that Anéfis has been captured by the FLA and JNIM, but this was refuted by the FAMa in its latest statement.
The military reported that 35 strikes hit the militants there, killing more than 200 fighters and destroying five armored vehicles, 20 pickup trucks, and around 100 motorcycles.
The strikes were not just carried out by the FAMa, but also by the Russian African Corps, which released some footage.
The corps also released a video showing a number of FLA militants surrendering near Anéfis after being abandoned by their commanders.
All in all, the latest offensive by the FLA and JNIM appears to have failed. The two groups clearly lack the strength to solidify their control in Anéfis — the only area where they made gains. Dragging out the battle there will only deplete them further.
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