- Tuareg rebels seize another military base in Mali.
- Bringing the total to five in recent weeks.
The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), an alliance of Tuareg rebel groups, said on Wednesday that they had taken control of the Malian army camp in Taoussa after fighting.
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This is the fifth military base that the CMA has seized in recent weeks, in addition to bases in Bamba, Lere, Dioura, and Bourem. The attacks come as tensions have resurfaced between the CMA and the Malian government, which has consolidated power in two coups in 2020 and 2021 and teamed up with Russian military contractor Wagner Group.
The CMA has long complained of government neglect and sought autonomy for the desert region they call Azawad. They signed a peace deal with the previous government and pro-government militia in 2015, but the deal has been fragile and has broken down several times.
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The CMA attack on Taoussa was followed by an attack on the army near the village of Tarkint on Wednesday. It is unclear how many casualties there were in either attack.
The renewed violence in Mali is a major concern for the international community, which has been trying to help the country stabilize after years of conflict. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire and for both sides to resume peace talks.