France, July 6 -- Coordinated attacks in northern Mali over the weekend saw some of the heaviest fighting in months following an offensive by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA - a Tuareg separatist group) and Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM - al-Qaeda affiliates).

The rebels targeted army positions backed by Russian paramilitaries (Africa Corps, formerly Wagner Group). According to a statement by the Malian army, the cities and towns included Anefis, Aguelhoc, Gao, Sevare and Kenioroba, just south of the capital Bamako.

Mohamed Ag Mohamed is the president of Kel Tamashaq association for France and Europe, a civil society organisation based in France that represents the Tuareg people of Mali.

Speaking to RFI, he said the main...