Malian army reports soldier casualties and rebel withdrawal in Anéfis clashes

The fighting involved the Malian Armed Forces FAMa against fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front FLA, supported by elements of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims JNIM. General Jean Elysée Dao, Chief of Staff of the Armies, stated on public television ORTM that around 30 soldiers were lost and about 60 were wounded, some seriously. Tuareg separatists claimed to have inflicted significant losses on Malian forces and Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps, while also admitting to losing some of their own fighters.

After several days of confrontation, FAMa, supported by Africa Corps, announced they had regained control of Anéfis with the arrival of ground and air reinforcements. The rebels confirmed their withdrawal from the area, stating it was a strategic move to avoid civilian casualties. Malian military officials claim over 1,000 enemy combatants were killed, and dozens of armored vehicles and hundreds of motorcycles were destroyed, though these figures have not been independently confirmed.

Malians believe media should also report on enemy losses for a balanced view of the conflict, noting the country has faced terrorism since 2012, which they say has strengthened the army's operational capabilities.