The Malian army denied Monday that it released around 200 suspected militants in mid-March to end attacks on fuel convoys.
Earlier reports said more than 100 militants had been freed, while later sources suggested the number was closer to 200.
The alleged deal included a truce set to last until the major Muslim festival of Tabaski at the end of May.
Souleymane Dembele, the armed forces’ information director, called reports of the release “pure manipulation” with no reliable sources backing them.
He said the claims aimed to tarnish Mali’s image and erode trust between citizens and the country’s security institutions.
Since September, militants from JNIM, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, have targeted tanker convoys, paralyzing Bamako during the height of the October crisis.
Although calm prevailed for months, residents faced diesel shortages in early March, as fuel was prioritised for the energy sector.
The supposed release coincided with an improvement in the capital’s fuel supply following the arrival of new tanker convoys.
Two freed suspects died soon after their release, a local association representative told AFP, while another died on Sunday, according to family.
Mali has faced a deep security crisis since 2012, driven by militant groups, local criminal gangs, and separatist movements.
The ongoing instability continues to challenge authorities, while residents hope for lasting peace amid recurring threats and fuel disruptions.
