The Malian army admitted to suffering a “large number” of deaths during fighting in the north last week, with a unit being encircled by terrorist forces. The army expressed bravery and determination of soldiers but acknowledged significant losses in human lives and equipment. The CSP-DPA alliance, a Tuareg separatist coalition, claimed a major victory over the army and its Russian allies near the Algerian border. Al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) also claimed attacks, with unverified reports of 50 Russians and 10 Malians killed. Wagner group admitted severe losses in battles with separatist forces. The military junta in power since a 2020 coup is striving to regain control of the country from separatists and jihadist forces. Mali has also been affected by violence from community self-defense and criminal organizations since 2012. Independent information sources in conflict areas have been silenced by pressure from armed groups and the ruling junta.