Malian Armed Groups Launch Offensive Against Junta and Russia’s Africa Corps Positions

Malian armed groups have launched a coordinated series of attacks on junta forces and Russia’s Africa Corps positions across the country.

This was reported by Reuters. Information about the offensive was also confirmed by analyst Majakovsk, who updated a map of the clashes.

According to the news agency, the attacks took place on July 4 and covered a significant part of Mali, including areas east of the capital, Bamako.

According to the junta’s military command, clashes were reported from the northern towns of Anefis, Aguelhok and Gao to Sevare in central Mali and Kenioroba in the south.

A spokesman for the Tuareg-based rebel Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) confirmed to Reuters that the group was involved in the attacks.

Meanwhile, the regional branch of al-Qaeda, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), also claimed responsibility for the operation.

In a statement, the group said it had attacked and seized at least seven positions held by the military and allied pro-government forces.

For its part, the junta’s army said all attacks had been repelled and the situation was “fully under control.” It said 20 “terrorists” were killed in Sevare and six more in Gao.

The statement also said one pro-government fighter was killed and four others wounded in clashes in Gao.

1\#Mali Altra grande offensiva del FLA e di JNIM, simile a quella del 25/04. La città di Anèfif, nel nord, è caduta e le truppe dell’Afrika Korps e delle FAMa che non sono state uccise o catturate hanno ripiegato nella base, che rimane circondata e sotto il controllo dei Tuareg.… pic.twitter.com/K8KAhGGemn

— Majakovsk (@Majakovsk73) July 4, 2026

A local official in Gao told Reuters that gunfire and rocket fire were still ongoing around the military camp before dawn, without specifying who was responsible for the attacks.

FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaoulud Ramadan said the group’s fighters had entered the town of Anefis in the northeastern Kidal region.

Units of the Malian army and Russia’s Africa Corps were deployed in the area after April attacks that forced them out of the strategically important town of Kidal.

Separately, armed groups attacked a prison in Kenioroba, where political prisoners are held. The attack was repelled by junta forces.

Previously, in early June, jihadists from the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin reportedly attacked aircraft of Russia’s Africa Corps and Malian junta forces at Mopti airbase using bomber drones.