The Tuareg rebels in northern Mali announced on Sunday that they have captured another military base from the Malian army, marking the fourth such seizure in a series of attacks since August. 

These attacks have been carried out by the rebel alliance known as the Coordination of Azawad Movements following the withdrawal of a U.N. peacekeeping mission that had maintained a tenuous peace for years.

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a CMA spokesperson, confirmed to Reuters on Sunday that they had taken over the Bamba military base in the Gao region. No further details were provided. 

In a post on a social media site, the Malian army stated that “intense combat against terrorists was ongoing at the Bamba locality”, promising more details to follow.

The recent attack on Bamba and previous attacks on military bases in Lere, Dioura, and Bourem indicate escalating conflicts as both parties vie for control over territory in the desert center and north of the West African nation amidst the withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers.

The Malian army has also been targeted by insurgents affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State. 

The Tuaregs have long sought autonomy for the desert region they call Azawad, citing government neglect. A Tuareg uprising in 2012 was co-opted by Islamist groups, which were later expelled from major towns by a French-led intervention in 2013.

The CMA signed a peace agreement with the previous government and pro-government militia in 2015. 

However, tensions have resurfaced since the military seized power in two coups in 2020 and 2021, collaborated with Russian military contractor Wagner Group, and expelled French forces and U.N. peacekeepers.