Battle of Bourem

Last updated
Battle of Bourem
Part of Mali War
DateSeptember 12, 2023
Location
Bourem, Mali
Result Both sides declare victory
Belligerents
Flag of Mali.svg Mali
Flag of Russia.svg Wagner Group

CSP-PSD

Casualties and losses
10 killed, 13 injured (per Mali)
97 killed, 5 prisoners, 39 vehicles destroyed, 15 vehicles captured (per CSP-PSD) [1] 		9 killed, 11 injured, 3 vehicles destroyed (per CSP-PSD)
46 killed, 20 vehicles destroyed (per Mali) [1]

On September 12, 2023, clashes broke out between the Malian Armed Forces and the Wagner Group against the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (CSP-PSD) in and around the city of Bourem. The battle was the first major attack by the CSP-PSD on Malian forces since the battle of Ber in August.

Contents

Prelude

During late 2023, tensions between the Malian junta that came to power in a 2021 coup d'état and the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), a coalition of rebel groups that signed the Algiers Accords in 2015. On the night between August 4 and 5, 2023, a CMA post was attacked by Malian forces in Fooita. [2] The CMA denounced the deaths of two fighters, and accused the Malian junta and the Wagner Group of being behind the attack. Malian and Wagner officials did not respond to the accusations. [2] In the days that followed, CMA representatives left the Malian capital of Bamako. [3] Tensions between the CMA and junta came to a head between August 11 and 12, when Malian forces captured the MINUSMA base and surrounding town of Ber from CMA fighters just before MINUSMA evacuated the base. [4]

In the following weeks, tensions between the junta and Tuareg groups intensified. On September 8, the pro-government GATIA denounced the bombing of their base by Malian helicopters in Afawlawlaw, near Gao. [5] The next day, the CMA announced that they had shot down a Malian Sukhoi Su-25 jet in Tinouake, north of Gao after the jet had bombed CMA positions. The Malian Air Force denied that the jet was shot down. [6]

The CSP-PSD, a coalition of all rebel groups including the CMA and Platform, accused the junta and Wagner Group of multiple breaches of the ceasefire outlined in the Algiers Accords, and stated they would "adopt all measures in self-defense against the junta." [6] The Movement for the Salvation of Azawad, part of Platform, distanced itself from this statement. [6] On September 12, the CSP-PSD declared war on the junta. [7]

Battle

The town of Bourem was attacked by CSP-PSD fighters on the morning of September 12. [8] [9] CSP-PSD fighters quickly seized the Malian military camp in the northern part of the town after besieging it. [9] Immediately after its capture, Malian Air Force jets launched airstrikes on the town and camp and sent troops to recapture it. Both the junta and the CSP-PSD declared victory at the camp. [8] The Malian Army, in a statement released the same day, claimed to have repelled the offensive, and launched a counter-offensive against the CSP-PSD later on. [8]

Journalist Wassim Nasr stated that the CSP-PSD fighters had captured four Malian outposts in and around Bourem, but were unable to capture the main base in the city. [10] Later in the day of September 12, CSP-PSD and CMA officials claimed responsibility for the attack "against the Malian Army and the Wagner terrorist militia." [11] The CSP-PSD stated that their offensive was carried out on four fronts, and that fighting lasted two hours. [11] They also stated that four outposts were seized except for a Malian position in the eastern part of the city. [11] The CSP-PSD also claimed control over the Malian base, although stated that they withdrew following intense clashes immediately after its capture. [11] CSP-PSD spokesman Mahmoud El Maouloud Ramadane stated that "taking the city was not our initial objective, our objective isn't to stay in cities.' [11]

Aftermath

The Malian army stated that ten soldiers were killed and thirteen were wounded, and claimed that forty-six attackers. [9] [8] The CMA claimed the deaths of nine fighters, the injuries of eleven others, and the destruction of three of their own vehicles. [12] They also claimed ninety-seven Malian soldiers were killed in Malian airstrikes while they were being held prisoner. Only five soldiers survived, including a colonel who was detained on September 13. [10] [11] Nasr stated that a captain, the son of a Malian general, was among the prisoners. [10]

On September 17, CSP-PSD fighters attacked Malian forces in Léré, killing dozens of Malian soldiers. [13]

Related Research Articles

The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (CSP-PSD), also known as the Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defense and Protection of Azawad, is a coalition of political and military movements in northern Mali, that was formed on May 6, 2021. The CSP-PSD is an alliance between the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) and Platform. In September 2023, Platform left the CSP-PSD due to the CMA's war with the Malian government.

The Ménaka offensive was a series of offensives launched by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara against the Malian Army, Tuareg self-defense groups including the Movement for the Salvation of Azawad (MSA) and Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (GATIA), and the al-Qaeda-aligned Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin. The offensives took place in the Ménaka Cercle, in southeastern Mali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High Council for the Unity of Azawad</span>

The High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA) (French: Haut conseil pour l'unité de l'Azawad) is a Tuareg political movement formed on May 2, 2013, during the Mali War. The movement was initially called the High Council of Azawad (HCA) (French: Haut conseil de l'Azawad) before changing its name on May 19, 2013.

On July 26, 2017, clashes broke out between the pro-government GATIA Imghad Tuareg militia and anti-government Idnane Tuareg rebels from the Coordination of Azawad Movements.

The battle of Kidal took place between July 21 and 22, 2016 between GATIA, a pro-government militia consisting of Imghad Tuaregs, against the Coordination of Azawad Movements, consisting of Ifoghas Tuaregs.

The Algiers Accords, officially referred to as the Accord for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, is a 2015 agreement to end the Mali War. The agreement was signed on May 15 and June 20, 2015, in Bamako, following negotiations in Algiers between the Republic of Mali and Coordination of Azawad Movements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alghabass Ag Intalla</span>

Alghabass Ag Intalla is a Malian Tuareg politician and prominent leader of the High Council for the Unity of Azawad and the Coordination of Azawad Movements.

On August 17, 2015, clashes broke out between pro-government GATIA militants and rebels from the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) in the town of Anefis and surrounding areas. The dispute was settled in September.

On January 28 and February 4, 2015, pro-government Imghad Tuareg GATIA fighters attacked a base staffed by Arab Movement of Azawad (MAA) fighters in Tabrichat, Mali.

On May 11, 2015, a Malian convoy was ambushed by Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) fighters in Tin Telout, Tombouctou Region, Mali. The ambush was the last conflict between the Malian government and CMA before the signing of the Algiers Accords.

Between January 16 and 20, 2015, Platform and the Coordination of Azawad Movements clashed in the town of Tabankort, Gao Region, Mali. The clashes sparked a conflict between the CMA and the Dutch contingent of MINUSMA, which led to a controversial demilitarized zone.

Between July 19 and 22, 2014, pro-government rebels from GATIA and other militias clashed with rebels from the MNLA, HCUA, and dissident MAA in Tabankort, rural Gao Region, Mali. Clashes were paused after MINUSMA intervened.

On July 11, 2014, clashes broke out between pro-government militias led by GATIA and rebel militias led by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in Anefif, Mali. The battle was the first major confrontation between pro-government militias and rebel groups since the start of the Mali War in 2012.

On November 8, 2013, clashes broke out between Malian forces and the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in Amazragane, Ménaka Region, Mali.

On June 5, 2013, clashes broke out between the Malian Army and the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) in the village of Anefis. Malian forces entered and quickly captured the town, leading to diplomatic pushback from the MNLA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Ber (2023)</span>

The battle of Ber took place between August 11 and 12, 2023, between the Malian Armed Forces and the Wagner Group against fighters of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). The battle was the first major confrontation between the CMA and Malian forces since the signing of the Algiers Accords, and led to the breakdown of the accords by late 2023.

On September 17, 2023, clashes broke out between the CSP-PSD and the Malian junta in Léré, Mali.

On September 28, 2023, rebels from the CSP-PSD attacked Malian bases in Dioura, Mali.

On October 1, 2023, rebels from the CSP-PSD attacked Malian forces in Bamba, Gao Region, Mali.

The Kidal offensive was an offensive by the Malian government and Wagner Group mercenaries against the rebel coalition Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development (CSP-PSD) with the aim of capturing the rebel-held region of Kidal. The offensive was part of a renewed conflict between the Malian junta that took power in 2021 and former Tuareg rebel groups that had signed the Algiers Agreement in 2015, creating a ceasefire and de facto rebel control over the region. The offensive was also an attempt by Malian forces to seize control over MINUSMA camps in Kidal Region after the Malian junta had ordered the mission to leave the country by the end of 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 Beganssou, Prince (September 13, 2023). "Mali : Des Forces de l'Azawad mènent une opération contre les Forces maliennes et Wagner à Bourem". AFRIK SOIR.
  2. 1 2 "Mali: les ex-rebelles de la CMA accusent l'armée et Wagner d'une attaque tuant deux de ses membres". RFI (in French). 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  3. ↑ "Mali : l'ex-rébellion touareg quitte Bamako, nouveau signe de tension avec la junte". Le Figaro (in French). 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  4. ↑ "Mali: la Minusma quitte le camp de Ber sur fond d'attaques jihadistes et de tensions avec les ex-rebelles". RFI (in French). 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  5. ↑ "Mali: autorités et CMA se contredisent sur le crash d'un avion de l'armée, les ex-rebelles haussent le ton". RFI (in French). 2023-09-11. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  6. 1 2 3 "Au Mali, la guerre menace entre la junte et les anciens rebelles du Nord". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  7. ↑ "Mali: la Coordination des mouvements de l'Azawad se dit "en temps de guerre" avec la junte". RFI (in French). 2023-09-11. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Mali: les ex-rebelles de la CMA et l'armée s'affrontent à Bourem, dans le nord". RFI (in French). 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  9. 1 2 3 "Mali : situation confuse dans le Nord, après une offensive revendiquée par des groupes armés". France 24 (in French). 2023-09-12. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  10. 1 2 3 Combats entre l'armée et les rebelles au Mali : est-ce la fin de l'accord d'Alger ? . Retrieved 2024-04-24– via www.youtube.com.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beganssou, Prince (2023-09-13). "Mali : Des Forces de l'Azawad mènent une opération contre les Forces maliennes et Wagner à Bourem". AFRIK SOIR (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  12. ↑ "Que se passe-t-il dans le nord du Mali ?". Le Point (in French). 2023-09-14. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  13. ↑ "Mali: après la reprise des combats dans le Nord, de nombreux partis politiques appellent au dialogue". RFI (in French). 2023-09-19. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
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