The military confirms the arrest of Mauritanians in an operation by the Malian army and denies any border violation.

The Mauritanian military confirmed that a group of Mauritanian citizens were arrested by the Malian army, but later released, while simultaneously denying any entry of Malian forces into Mauritanian territory.

In an official statement responding to reports from local sources about a Malian military incursion, supported by Wagner forces, into Mauritanian territory and the arrest of 18 Mauritanians, the Mauritanian army denied these claims. The statement confirmed that the detainees were arrested within Malian territory, and were released following negotiations between the Mauritanian and Malian sides.

Local sources had reported in recent days that Malian forces crossed the eastern border and arrested several Mauritanian citizens in border villages, before releasing them the following day.