In Mali, fighters from the Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP) have withdrawn from the town of Léré. This coalition of armed groups from the North had attacked and taken control of the Malian military camp in this town in the Niafunké circle, in the Timbuktu region, on Sunday afternoon, September 17th. The Malian Armed Forces (Fama) headquarters confirmed the attack and mentioned a response. However, the assailants left the town during the night.
In Mali, fighters from the Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP) have fully withdrawn from Léré between 2 and 3 a.m. this morning after searching the town. This is according to one of their spokespersons, who specified that this withdrawal is aimed at avoiding potential airstrikes by the Malian army. The CSP fighters’ retreat from the town of Léré has been confirmed by several local civilian sources. The town is currently calm.
No casualty figures have been provided by the CSP or the Malian army, which issued statements yesterday evening and this morning, denouncing an “attack by evil forces on the Léré military camp” and asserting that they are mobilized “to defend their positions” and “maintain the security of the population.”
On Sunday afternoon, the CSP stormed the town of Léré and took control of the city’s military camp “after two hours of combat,” according to rebel armed groups, who also claim to have shot down a Malian army aircraft, with images as evidence. Local civilian and security sources have confirmed that the CSP did indeed seize the Malian military camp before leaving the area.
On September 12, the CSP targeted the Malian Armed Forces (Fama) base in Bourem, in the Gao region. Once again, the rebels carried out a swift attack before retreating. Both sides reported dozens of casualties, but no reliable and independent casualty figures could be verified. Subsequently, the CSP released a video of a Malian soldier captured during this attack, who has since been held captive.
The CSP argues that its recent operations are in “self-defense” and accuses the Malian army and its Russian allies from the Wagner Group of repeatedly violating the 2015 peace agreement and the ceasefire that was in effect.
The transitional Malian authorities have consistently denounced “terrorist attacks” in recent weeks. On September 16, they, along with neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, established the “Sahel States Alliance,” which envisages expanded cooperation to address the terrorism threat and also any “infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of these three countries.