Mali Town Hit by Disease and Drone Strikes After July Battle
The town of Tinzaouaten in northern Mali, which was at the center of a fierce battle between Tuareg rebels and the Malian army supported by Russian mercenaries in July, now faces a dire humanitarian crisis. Residents are suffering from disease outbreaks, including diphtheria and malaria, as well as frequent drone strikes. These hardships have forced many to flee to neighboring Algeria in search of safety. The town, located in Mali’s vast northern desert near the border with Algeria, is now under the control of Tuareg rebels, leaving its residents cut off from much-needed aid and supplies.
Disease Outbreaks in Mali’s Tinzaouaten Amid Conflict
The residents of Tinzaouaten are battling both disease and disruption caused by the ongoing conflict. Access to essential supplies such as bed nets and medicines has been severely limited due to roadblocks set up by security forces. Ibrahim Ag Tambarayraye, a resident of Tinzaouaten, expressed the frustration of the community: “In Tinzaouaten, here, we lack almost everything… Almost everything is closed on us… The medicines have not arrived in Tinzaouaten and now that the roads are closed, no organization has come to help us.” The isolation of the town has worsened the situation, with no organizations able to deliver medical aid to combat the spread of disease.
Diphtheria, a bacterial infection that can be fatal if untreated, has been particularly deadly, with a high number of deaths reported. Additionally, the malaria situation in the region has worsened, with many patients suffering from severe anemia and neuro-malaria, a complication of malaria that affects the brain. Dr. Moussa Bagayoko, a local doctor, said that many patients had to be admitted in a state of altered consciousness, highlighting the severity of the situation. The lack of vaccines for diphtheria and anti-malarial drugs has left the population vulnerable and in urgent need of assistance.
Drone Strikes and Flooding Compounding the Crisis
In addition to the disease outbreaks, the situation in Tinzaouaten has been compounded by multiple drone strikes since the July battle. These attacks have killed dozens of civilians, including children and medical personnel, as reported by residents near the Algerian border. The aerial bombardments have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, further preventing aid from reaching the town. The people of Tinzaouaten live in constant fear of additional strikes, which have taken a heavy toll on the civilian population.
Moreover, severe flooding caused by a particularly heavy rainy season across the Sahel region has made the crisis even worse. The floods have damaged infrastructure and further hampered access to the town. In response to the widespread devastation caused by the flooding, Mali declared a state of national disaster in August, which delayed the start of the academic year. The compounded effects of the flooding, the violence, and the disease outbreaks have left the people of Tinzaouaten struggling to survive.
Displacement and Flight to Algeria Due to Ongoing Violence
As conditions in Tinzaouaten continue to deteriorate, many residents are fleeing to Algeria in search of refuge. Tinzaouaten has become a major transit point for displaced people from northern Mali, with tens of thousands passing through the area since the July battle between the Tuareg rebels and the Malian army, which is backed by Russian Wagner mercenaries. The violence and instability have forced people from towns such as Menaka, Kidal, and Gao to seek shelter in Algeria, further escalating the humanitarian crisis.
Rhissa Ag Aharib, the village chief of Tinzaouaten, confirmed that the town is seeing an influx of displaced people who have fled the violence. Among them is Rhissa Ag Mohamed, a herder who fled his home in Ansongo, a town located hundreds of kilometers to the south. “I left the region of Gao, looking for peace; I am fleeing Wagner and the Malian army,” he said, describing the desperation of those escaping the fighting. The ongoing conflict, combined with the lack of basic services and the threat of drone attacks, has left many with no choice but to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
A Community in Crisis
The residents of Tinzaouaten and surrounding regions in northern Mali are facing a crisis on multiple fronts. With disease outbreaks, ongoing drone strikes, and flooding, the people are in desperate need of aid. The political and military instability in the region has made it difficult for humanitarian organizations to reach the affected communities. As more people flee to Algeria, the humanitarian situation in northern Mali continues to worsen. The international community must act quickly to address the needs of these displaced people and provide assistance to mitigate the spread of disease and offer relief to those caught in the crossfire.
