AN al-Qaeda-linked group has claimed responsibility for a lethal ambush in northern Mali, allegedly killing 50 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 10 Malian soldiers, according to Reuters. The attack, which occurred at the weekend near the Algerian border in the Kidal region, is a major setback for the Wagner Group and reflects their heaviest losses since they arrived in Mali two years ago.
The Wagner group has been assisting Mali’s military government in combating Islamist insurgencies that have plagued the Sahel region since 2012.
Reuters reports that while Mali’s government maintains that Russian personnel in the country are trainers rather than mercenaries, Wagner issued a rare statement acknowledging their participation in battles near Tinzaouaten from July 22-27. The group confirmed substantial losses, including the death of their commander, Sergei Shevchenko.
According to Reuters, the attack reportedly occurred as Malian and Wagner forces were withdrawing from Tinzaouaten following an unsuccessful attempt to capture it from Tuareg separatists. Security sources indicated that the convoy faced a complex ambush involving both separatist and jihadist elements, though the extent of coordination between these groups remains unclear.
Mali’s military has accused Tuareg and jihadist groups of collaboration. In response to the recent violence, the Malian army stated that it had initiated a “stabilization operation” in the area on July 19, which escalated into an attack on July 25. Adverse weather conditions reportedly allowed opposing forces to regroup and launch their assault on the convoy.
The ongoing conflict involves the Tuareg, an ethnic group inhabiting the Sahara region, including northern Mali. Many Tuareg feel marginalized by the Malian government, leading to a rebellion in 2012 that was later co-opted by Islamist militant groups.
