Desitdown News (Drone strikes by Mali's military regime kill 8 Tuareg leaders )

Описание: Mali Drone Strikes Kill Eight Tuareg Rebel Leaders in Northern Town of Tinzaouatine**

Bamako, Mali — Drone strikes by Mali's military regime killed eight Tuareg rebel leaders in the northern town of Tinzaouatine, near the Algerian border, a rebel spokesperson confirmed on Monday. This marks the first time since the onset of the rebellion in 2012 that so many Tuareg leaders have been killed in a single attack.

"Several synchronized drone strikes martyred some Azawad leaders on December 1, 2024, in Tinzaouatine," said Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesman for the rebels, in a statement. The term "Azawad" is used by separatist groups to refer to northern Mali.

The statement from the separatists identified the victims, including Fahad Ag Al Mahmoud, Secretary General of the Gatia, a prominent Tuareg armed group.

Later on Sunday, the General Staff of the Malian armed forces confirmed the deaths of the rebel leaders, describing them as "terrorists" killed in a "special operation."

Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Moroccan think tank, noted the significance of the attack: “This is a major loss to northern Malian groups, as many of the victims were key leaders with significant influence in their communities. However, this strike will likely intensify anti-Bamako sentiments. This setback does not mean the fight is over.”

Lyammouri added that the junta’s use of drones demonstrates its readiness to deploy its newly acquired air assets whenever needed.

The drone strikes come a day after armed groups in northern Mali announced the formation of a new political-military entity, the Azawad Liberation Front, which aims for the "total liberation of Azawad and the creation of the Azawad Authority," according to Ramadane’s press release dated November 30.

The attack is likely to heighten tensions in the region, where the Tuareg separatist movement has been fighting for autonomy for over a decade.
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