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Case Number
20240830WO
Case Date of Filing
30/08/2024
Suspected/Known Time of Incident
Local Time and Date: 14:50hrs. 25/07/2024
GMT/Zulu Time and Date: 14:50hrs 25/07/2024
Case Researcher(s)
Combined Sahel Team
The recent clash between Tuareg rebels and Wagner mercenaries in Mali occurred near the town of Tinzaouaten, which is close to the Algerian border in northeastern Mali. The fighting began on July 25, 2024, at 14:50hrs when Tuareg rebels ambushed a convoy of Malian soldiers and Wagner personnel who were moving towards Tinzaouaten from the commune of Boughassa. The initial ambush killed ten Malian soldiers and five Wagner mercenaries. The ambush forced the Mali and Wagner group into low ground while the Tuaregs took up higher ground positions. The subsequent battle, which lasted till 29/07/24, resulted in heavy casualties for the Wagner Group, with reports suggesting that up to 84 Wagner mercenaries were killed, alongside dozens of Malian soldiers. However, a sandstorm disrupted the fighting a caused both sides to temporarily regroup, meaning that once fighting resumed it likely shifted location and is therefore harder to determine a single location from the evidence.
The town of Tinzaouaten has been a significant strategic location due to its proximity to the border, making it a contested area in the ongoing conflict. The rebels managed to seize several armoured vehicles, trucks, and other military equipment during the battle, further destabilizing the region.
Case Location:
Tinzaouten – town bordering Algeria
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Latitude/Longitude (WGS84)
Roughly 19°56′55″N 2°58′04″E
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Town/Region/Country
Tinzaouten, Mali
Individual Incident Locations:
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Potential location 1
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20°00'56"N 2°44'46"E
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A site about 12 miles (19km) west from the commune of Tinzaouten along the riverbed, where the initial ambush may have taken place.
Potential location 2
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19°50'40"N 2°57'42"E
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On the same day, JNIM conducted an ambush on a convoy carrying Malian and Wagner mercenaries who attempted to retreat from the commune near the Tin-Gamira mountains.
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The mixture of shrubbery and slanted landscape correlates to several images and videos of the incident.
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Reports of a Helicopter crash further south in Kidal suggests a conflict zone somewhere in between the two towns.
Potential location 3
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20°03'05"N 2°20'28"E
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Open site further south west of site 2
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Matches landscape seen in several images and videos
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Correlates to rough maps found online depicting the movements of the conflict parties
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Just under 60 km away from Tinzaouten
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Casualty Evidence Below:
Potential Location 1
Potential Location 2
Potential Location 3
Casualties
Total Suspected/Known Number of Casualties: 131​
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Injured: unknown
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Fatalities in Incident: NA
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Fatalities in Grave: NA
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Further Casualty Information:
Age Range: unknown
Genders: Males
Ethnicity/ies: unknown
Suspected or Known Aggressors:
Suspected or Known Aggressors:
Group/Tribe/Militia/Organisation: Tuareg Militia alongside the Al-Qaeda-linked group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)
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Tuareg Militia
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JNIM
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Wagner Group
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FAMa (Malian Armed Forces)
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As of now, there is no verified or publicly available figure that specifies the exact number of Tuareg fighters involved in the recent ambush on Wagner forces in Mali. Given the complex and fragmented nature of armed groups operating in northern Mali, such details are difficult to ascertain, especially since these engagements often involve fluid numbers of insurgents drawn from various factions.
Reports on the incident have generally been limited, and both sides (the Tuareg militias and Wagner-affiliated forces) are unlikely to disclose such specifics. The Tuareg fighters involved are likely part of larger networks that could vary in size based on factors such as their territorial control, recent alliances, and operational objectives. Additionally, Tuareg rebel factions operate in loose formations, making it challenging to provide an exact count of the fighters involved in any single engagement.
For a more accurate assessment, further satellite imagery, intelligence from local sources, or additional OSINT might eventually shed light on this, but no conclusive figures are available at the moment.​​​
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Aggressor Evidence Below:
