By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

In yet another devastating attack against the Malian military and its Russian allies, an ambush on a joint convoy of Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and Africa Corps (formerly Wagner) mercenaries ended in catastrophic losses on Friday, June 13, 2025, near Anoumelan, 56 km south of Aguelhok in the Kidal region of northern Mali.

The attack marks a dramatic reversal for the military junta in Bamako, undermining recent narratives of improved security and control in the restive north.

The targeted convoy, composed of more than 40 military vehicles including armoured carriers, logistics trucks, fuel tankers, bulldozers, and ambulances, had departed Anefis on June 11, bound for Aguelhok. The route a hazardous 120km stretch of rocky, barren terrain is notorious for its vulnerability to ambushes due to minimal vegetation and difficult topography.

Despite its size and aerial support from Malian forces, the convoy was caught off guard by fighters of the Front de Libération de l’Azawad (FLA), led by rebel commander Alghabass Ag Intalla. The rebels, equipped with superior knowledge of the terrain and mobile units, launched a coordinated ambush at Anoumelan in the early hours of Friday morning.

Ignored warnings, fatal outcome

On Thursday, June 12, the day before the ambush, two FAMA vehicles in the same area were destroyed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), killing four Russian mercenaries and injuring three. Further mines exploded later in the day, damaging additional vehicles. These incidents, believed to be the work of the FLA, failed to prompt a tactical reassessment or halt the convoy’s movement. By Friday morning, the rebels had set their trap.

According to a communiqué issued by the FLA, the ambush was executed along a strategic route between Gao, Kidal, and the Algerian border. The attack lasted several hours and reportedly resulted in:

Dozens of FAMA and Africa Corps fighters killed, including at least 15 Russian mercenaries whose bodies were abandoned on the battlefield. Destruction of 21 vehicles, including armoured trucks, weapon-mounted pickups, and logistics trucks.

Seizure of significant military assets, including one intact armoured vehicle, twelve transport trucks, communication gear, drones, heavy weaponry, and confidential military documents.

Escape of around ten vehicles, allegedly still being pursued by rebel forces.

The FLA also suffered losses, with three fighters killed, including Miya Ag Saghdou nephew and son-in-law of Alghabass Ag Intalla and a former FAMA captain. Two rebel vehicles were destroyed, and unconfirmed reports indicate that FLA field commander Issouf Bougara may have died in clashes elsewhere between Aguelhok and Kidal.

Psychological warfare and propaganda

The FLA later released several videos showing destroyed vehicles, captured equipment, and jubilant fighters parading through the battleground. The graphic footage evoked painful memories of the July 2024 Tinzawaten disaster, another humiliating defeat for the junta.

One eyewitness described a scene of chaos and panic, with soldiers abandoning vehicles under heavy fire, some surrendering before retreating helicopters and drones intervened. Air support reportedly retrieved bodies from the sand to avoid their appearance in rebel footage.

Despite no official comment from FAMA or the junta, the visual evidence shared by the FLA has drawn wide attention, including from Russian and pro-Russian Telegram channels, which unusually acknowledged the ambush and confirmed “heavy losses,” including the downing of a helicopter. (Zagazola, but headline rejigged)