Battle of Niafunké
| Battle of Niafunké | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of 2012 Tuareg rebellion | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Mali | MNLA | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 50 regular soldiers |
Few dozen fighters 4–10 vehicles | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
4 killed 6 wounded | 5 killed | ||||||
| 2 civilians killed | |||||||
On 31 January, at approx. 6:45 A.M, the Malian military cantonment in Niafunké comes under attack by elements of the MNLA. The military camp located in the town undergoes a fierce assault by rebels. A Malian soldier is reported killed. Next military reinforcements nearby are called in for assistance but are ambushed by rebels. After several hours of a standoff the MNLA relinquishes siege of the camp. Military casualties were 4 dead, and 6 wounded. The dead included a Malian army captain. Five MNLA members were killed. Two civilian students also died during the battle by stray bullets.