Malian security forces, Russia's paramilitary Africa Corps and pro-government Tuareg militias regained control of the northern town of Anefis after a military convoy arrived, which resulted in severe clashes with al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, and the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, Radio France Internationale reported on July 9. FLA commanders told RFI that pro-government forces' air superiority had provided them a decisive edge in resupplying the Anefis camp, but noted that "the war is far from over."

FLA and JNIM fighters had besieged the Anefis camp on July 4, when they launched coordinated attacks across several localities of northern Mali. This followed a previous round of nationwide attacks by the rebel coalition in late April, during which insurgents captured the city of Kidal and killed Defense Minister Gen. Sadio Camara.