Just seven days after reclaiming control of Anéfis in northern Mali, the Malian armed forces along with Russian mercenary units faced a brutal ambush in the same area on Saturday.

The military’s return to Anéfis failed to establish lasting security. Within a week of retaking this key stronghold in the country’s north, a military convoy was ambushed in the very sector where control had just been restored. Both Malian troops and their Russian allies came under coordinated attack, highlighting the persistent threat posed by jihadist groups despite recent counteroffensives.

The surge in such attacks raises serious concerns about the ability of Malian forces and their auxiliaries to maintain long-term control over recaptured territories. In northern Mali, where territorial disputes and vulnerable supply routes persist, the risks remain critically high.