A convoy carrying Malian soldiers and fighters from the Russian paramilitary Africa Corps came under attack ​in northern Mali on Thursday, three security sources ‌and a spokesperson for an armed group said.

One of the sources said the convoy was ferrying more than 200 Russian fighters ​and more than 100 Malian soldiers.

A similar ​attack hit another military convoy headed north earlier ⁠this week, the same person said.

The Al Qaeda affiliate ​Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the Tuareg-led rebel ​group the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) staged attacks on army positions across Mali on Saturday, July 4.

The convoy was heading towards the northern town ​of Anefis, where fighting has persisted since then, when ​it came under fire early on Thursday, the sources said.

A spokesperson ‌for ⁠the FLA claimed responsibility for the attack. It is unclear whether JNIM was also involved.

A spokesperson for Mali's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Niger, ​a neighbour ​and ally to ⁠Mali, provided air support during the fighting, the three sources said.

Niger's military could not ​be reached for comment.

The FLA and JNIM ​teamed ⁠up for a coordinated, high-profile operation in April that hit the airport in the capital Bamako and killed the defence ⁠minister.

Africa Corps ​is backing Mali's military in ​the fight against insurgencies that have plagued the West African country since 2012.