Just days after regaining control of Anéfis in northern Mali, Malian forces and their Russian mercenary allies faced a deadly ambush on Saturday.

The military operation to reclaim Anéfis had barely settled when the convoy came under attack in the same area. Both Malian soldiers and the Wagner-linked mercenaries accompanying them were targeted, exposing the persistent jihadist threat despite recent counteroffensives.

The ambush near Anéfis highlights the fragile security situation in northern Mali, where armed groups continue to disrupt operations and challenge territorial control. With key routes still vulnerable, questions arise over the sustainability of recent military gains and the ability to hold newly secured zones.

This incident marks yet another setback in the ongoing struggle to stabilize a region long contested by militant factions.