Mali rebels ambush army convoy, killing or capturing scores of soldiers

• Both the regional al-Qaida affiliate and separatist FLA claimed responsibility.
• ByThe Associated PressJuly 18, 2026, 9:37 AMBAMAKO, Mali -- Jihadi militants and a separatist group ambushed a Malian army convoy in the country’s hard-hit north on Saturday, resulting in the killing or capture of scores of soldiers, the rebels said.
• The Malian army confirmed the attack, saying in a statement that armed groups ambushed the convoy of Malian soldiers and their partners in a remote part of the northern Gao region.