July 2026 nationwide attacks and the battle for Anéfis

What happened

A second coordinated wave hits Anéfis, Aguelhok, Gao, Sévaré and Kéniéroba, later Konna and Somadougou. FLA and JNIM fighters besiege the Anéfis base, ambush a Malian–Africa Corps relief convoy near Tabrichat and down an Mi-24; a second column from Gao breaks through and the army announces the town retaken on 10 July, at a stated cost of about 30 soldiers.

The attacks showed geographic reach from the Algerian border to Bamako's approaches — pressure on positions, not proof of durable control. Anéfis became the test of whether the government and the Africa Corps can still project force up the Kidal road, and of whether the FLA–JNIM alignment can hold ground against a determined relief effort.

Confidence: Moderate