The Mauritanian Armed Forces has denied claims made by the African Corps, a Russian-linked unit, regarding militants fleeing from Mali into Mauritania.

The African Corps had stated that around 150 militants were killed in a strike on a camp hosting approximately 200 fighters, adding that some survivors fled toward and crossed into Mauritania.

In an official statement, Mauritania’s military command described the reports as “inaccurate and misleading,” calling them an attempt to spread confusion and undermine the credibility of its armed forces, while reaffirming that no such border crossings had occurred.

Meanwhile, Algeria President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed the existence of “indirect contacts” between Algeria and Bamako aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis.