Civilians Casualties in Mali as Military and Russian Allies Face Heavy Losses

The Malian army reported that the aerial assault was conducted in coordination with Burkina Faso’s military at Tinzaouatene, near the Algerian border. This operation was carried out under the collective defense framework of the recently established Confederation of Sahel States, which includes the military regimes of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

"Aerial drones killed at least six civilians on Tuesday, among them Sudanese, Nigeriens, and Chadians," a local official disclosed post-attack. Another source accused the armed forces and Russian fighters of causing ten fatalities in the strike.

Mohamed Elmaouloud, a spokesman for the separatists, stated to AFP that "drone fire from the Malian army, accompanied by Wagner (Russian fighters), targeted civilian gold miners at a mine near the Algerian border." He further noted "dozens of deaths, predominantly Nigerien Hausa and Chadians."

A Malian source revealed to AFP that "the drones targeted and hit a pick-up truck transporting terrorists and their weapons," but did not provide additional details.

This incident follows a significant setback for the Malian army and Wagner forces on Saturday, where they incurred substantial losses in battles against separatist rebels and jihadists. On Monday, the Malian army acknowledged suffering a "large number" of fatalities, a rare admission of heavy losses.

The CSP-DPA alliance, a coalition of mainly Tuareg separatists, claimed a decisive victory over the Malian army and its Russian allies after three days of fierce combat around Tinzaouatene. Additionally, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) claimed it had attacked an army convoy and Wagner mercenaries south of Tinzaouatene, asserting it killed 50 Russians and 10 Malians, although AFP could not independently verify these claims.

The Wagner group, on Monday, also admitted to suffering severe losses, including the death of a commander.

Mali’s military leaders, who assumed power following a 2020 coup, have prioritized reclaiming territory from separatist and jihadist forces. Concurrently, the junta has severed its military alliance with former colonial power France, opting instead to seek support from Russia.