The Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) have declared a decisive shift in the conflict, asserting full operational control over regions previously targeted by the Azawad Liberation Front in the north and the Support Group for Islam and Muslims—an Al-Qaeda affiliate—in central and southern Mali.
In a formal statement, FAMA confirmed that intense clashes persisted through Sunday in Anifif, a strategic locality in the northeast, roughly 110 kilometers south of Kidal. The engagement followed the arrival of additional combatants and military assets dispatched to reinforce the Azawad Liberation Front.
According to the military’s communiqué, Malian troops demonstrated unwavering resolve, sustaining combat operations throughout the day with discipline and valor. The statement underscored the army’s “absolute confidence in its ability to defend national sovereignty, safeguard civilian lives, and defeat hostile factions.”
The Azawad Liberation Front’s spokesperson, Mohamed Mouloud Ramadan, had earlier claimed control over Anifif after renewed hostilities. However, FAMA’s response categorically refutes such assertions, emphasizing their continued dominance in the area.
In a parallel development, the group’s leadership dismissed reports of the death of its commander, Mbarek Ag Akli, affirming his ongoing command over military operations in northern Mali.