A Russian mercenary commander has been killed in Mali following a rebel attack during a sandstorm, according to reports from the Africa Corps, the successor organization to the notorious Wagner Group. This incident highlights the ongoing volatility in the West African nation and the complex web of international involvement in the region’s conflicts.
The Africa Corps, which has been supporting Mali’s military regime since 2021, reported engaging in “fierce battles” against separatist rebels and jihadist militants last week. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when separatist forces launched a major attack, resulting in significant casualties for the Russian mercenaries.
Sources close to Africa Corps told the BBC that an estimated 20 to 50 mercenaries were killed in the ambush near the north-eastern town of Tinzaouaten. Russian military bloggers corroborated this information, reporting at least 20 fatalities. In an official statement on Telegram, the mercenary group confirmed suffering “losses,” including the death of commander Sergei Shevchenko.
The attack unfolded in two phases. Initially, the Africa Corps claims to have “destroyed most of the Islamists and put the rest to flight.” However, a subsequent sandstorm allowed the rebels to regroup, reportedly amassing a force of about 1,000 fighters who then launched a devastating counterattack.
Two groups have claimed responsibility for the ambush. The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD), a Tuareg-dominated separatist organization, stated that their forces “dealt a decisive blow to the enemy columns” on Saturday. They also claim to have taken prisoners and captured significant amounts of equipment and weapons.
Separately, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, has claimed sole responsibility for the attack, asserting they killed 50 Russian mercenaries in a “complex ambush.”
Video footage shared by rebel groups shows numerous white men in military fatigues lying motionless on sandy terrain, as well as a group of mostly black men blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs. The BBC has not been able to verify the authenticity of these videos.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of Mali’s complex political and security landscape. The country’s central government lost control of much of the north following a Tuareg rebellion over a decade ago, with the situation further complicated by the involvement of Islamist militants. The current military junta, which seized power through coups in 2020 and 2021, turned to Russian mercenaries for support after severing ties with former colonial power France.
The Africa Corps’ involvement in Mali is a continuation of the role previously played by the Wagner Group, which was effectively dismantled following a mutiny by its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin last year. This transition underscores the evolving nature of Russia’s military engagement in Africa and the ongoing challenges faced by Mali in its struggle for stability and security.
Source:bbc.com
