Rybar summary of events:
Since July 20th, the Malian armed forces, supported by the Wagner PMC, have intensified reconnaissance and search operations on the Algerian border. These activities were conducted with limited forces to identify positions of militants from the "Azawad Coordination Movement" and Al-Qaeda-affiliated group known as "Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin."
On July 22nd, advanced groups raided In-Afarak, where only fuel storage facilities were found in the settlement. After the army, which had announced taking control of the village, retreated, Tuareg rebels reoccupied the area.
At the same time, a convoy of up to 20 vehicles advanced towards the city of Tin-Zaouatene, the last major stronghold of the "Azawad" militants in the area.
On July 23rd, government forces reached Bougessa. As they advanced towards their goal, the convoy was hit by an IED planted by separatists in the Wadi Tamassahart valley.
On July 25th, government forces encountered "Azawad" rebels 20 kilometers from the city. The first day of the battle yielded results: the militants were pushed to within 7 km of the city, and some groups reached a small camp 2 km from the Algerian border. One of the enemy field commanders was also eliminated.
While the army convoy numbered at most seventy soldiers, the rebels concentrated a force of up to 900 fighters in Tin-Zaouatene, moving their reserves there. The ensuing battles were interrupted by a sandstorm, causing both sides to withdraw troops from the combat line.
The next day, the fighting resumed under the initiative of the enemy. The Tuaregs attacked the field camps and managed to disable part of the armored vehicles. The arriving army aviation was ineffective due to weather conditions, and one Mi-24 was fired upon with anti-aircraft weapons, making a hard landing in Kidal.
On July 27th, government forces began retreating from the outskirts of the city as the Tuaregs continued to bring in reserves. At that time, militants from the Malian branch of "Al-Qaeda," specifically "Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin," acting in concert with the "Azawad Movement," ambushed the Malian Armed Forces and Wagner PMC convoy near the Tin-Ghamira mountains, mining the area.
After the explosion and assault by the Al Qaeda fighters, the Tuaregs arrived, trapping the remaining Malian and Russian forces. The battle ended in a rout and the capture of survivors. Among the killed Wagner PMC fighters was Nikita (call signs "Bely" and "Pyatisotyy"), the administrator of the Grey Zone channel. His death was confirmed by friendly sources.
[...] Wagner PMC, along with the "African Corps", promptly negotiated the ransom of prisoners, concluding two deals.
Since July 20th, the Malian armed forces, supported by the Wagner PMC, have intensified reconnaissance and search operations on the Algerian border. These activities were conducted with limited forces to identify positions of militants from the "Azawad Coordination Movement" and Al-Qaeda-affiliated group known as "Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin."
On July 22nd, advanced groups raided In-Afarak, where only fuel storage facilities were found in the settlement. After the army, which had announced taking control of the village, retreated, Tuareg rebels reoccupied the area.
At the same time, a convoy of up to 20 vehicles advanced towards the city of Tin-Zaouatene, the last major stronghold of the "Azawad" militants in the area.
On July 23rd, government forces reached Bougessa. As they advanced towards their goal, the convoy was hit by an IED planted by separatists in the Wadi Tamassahart valley.
On July 25th, government forces encountered "Azawad" rebels 20 kilometers from the city. The first day of the battle yielded results: the militants were pushed to within 7 km of the city, and some groups reached a small camp 2 km from the Algerian border. One of the enemy field commanders was also eliminated.
While the army convoy numbered at most seventy soldiers, the rebels concentrated a force of up to 900 fighters in Tin-Zaouatene, moving their reserves there. The ensuing battles were interrupted by a sandstorm, causing both sides to withdraw troops from the combat line.
The next day, the fighting resumed under the initiative of the enemy. The Tuaregs attacked the field camps and managed to disable part of the armored vehicles. The arriving army aviation was ineffective due to weather conditions, and one Mi-24 was fired upon with anti-aircraft weapons, making a hard landing in Kidal.
On July 27th, government forces began retreating from the outskirts of the city as the Tuaregs continued to bring in reserves. At that time, militants from the Malian branch of "Al-Qaeda," specifically "Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin," acting in concert with the "Azawad Movement," ambushed the Malian Armed Forces and Wagner PMC convoy near the Tin-Ghamira mountains, mining the area.
After the explosion and assault by the Al Qaeda fighters, the Tuaregs arrived, trapping the remaining Malian and Russian forces. The battle ended in a rout and the capture of survivors. Among the killed Wagner PMC fighters was Nikita (call signs "Bely" and "Pyatisotyy"), the administrator of the Grey Zone channel. His death was confirmed by friendly sources.
[...] Wagner PMC, along with the "African Corps", promptly negotiated the ransom of prisoners, concluding two deals.