DAKAR, July 09, Brussels Morning Newspaper – A convoy transporting Malian soldiers and fighters from the Russian paramilitary Africa Corps was attacked in northern Mali on Thursday. Three security sources and a spokesperson for an armed group confirmed the strike occurred as the convoy traveled toward the northern town of Anefis.

The convoy was carrying more than 200 Russian fighters and over 100 Malian soldiers when it came under fire early Thursday morning. This incident follows a similar attack on a separate military convoy heading north earlier this week. Fighting has persisted in the Anefis region since Saturday, July 4, following multiple strikes on army positions across the country by the Al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front.

A spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the Thursday attack, though it remains unclear if Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin was also involved. The two groups previously collaborated during a high-profile April operation that targeted the airport in the capital, Bamako, and resulted in the death of the defense minister.

During the recent hostilities, neighboring Niger provided air support to the Malian forces. A spokesperson for the military in Mali did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident, and representatives for the military in Niger could not be reached.