-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
At least six Wagner Group mercenaries were killed during an attack in Mali’s Mopti region, according to reports from Associated Press (AP) and statements from the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). The incident occurred on November 21 when the mercenaries were reportedly ambushed near a checkpoint.
AP, citing a Malian security source, confirmed the attack and the fatalities, although the exact number of casualties remains unclear. JNIM, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the ambush, asserting that six Wagner operatives were killed and their convoy destroyed.
Further details provided by Reuters, referencing the Site Intelligence Group, suggest the death toll could be higher, with at least seven Wagner mercenaries killed. A video obtained by Reuters shows five bodies in military uniforms lying near a damaged vehicle. While the footage aligns with the reports, its authenticity has not been independently verified.
Russian Wagner operatives have been active in Mali since late 2021, following a military coup that ousted the country’s previous government. They replaced French forces and international peacekeepers, assisting Mali’s military against insurgents in the central and northern regions. However, their presence has been marred by allegations of civilian casualties and human rights abuses.
In late July 2024, Tuareg rebels ambushed a Malian military convoy escorted by Wagner mercenaries near the Mali-Algeria border. The attack, involving heavy weapons and drones, left dozens of Wagner fighters dead and several taken hostage.
Under the new leadership of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Wagner, now operating as the Africa Corps, continues its missions across Africa, supporting authoritarian regimes in exchange for access to natural resources.
