FLA-JNIM Ambush FAMa/Africa Corps Convoy Near Tabankort on Anéfis–Gao Road

A joint FLA-JNIM force ambushed a FAMa/Africa Corps military convoy traveling from Anéfis to Gao near Tabankort in the Gao region on July 17–18, 2026, shortly after government forces claimed to have retaken Anéfis (~July 8–10) from the earlier July 4–5 offensive. Both FLA and JNIM separately claimed responsibility and released footage appearing to show captured or surrendering Malian soldiers. Casualty figures are disputed: some aggregated reporting cited roughly 50 soldiers killed and 20 captured, while Al Jazeera reported Mali's military did not confirm specific numbers and insurgents claimed only 'great human losses and serious material damage' without a figure. Mali's army announced a counter-offensive; fighting was reported ongoing as of initial publication.