KEY POINTS
- Seven Wagner mercenaries were killed in an attack in Mali.
- JNIM claimed responsibility, highlighting risks in the volatile Sahel.
- Russian operatives in Mali are described as trainers, not mercenaries.
At least seven Russian mercenaries from the Wagner private military group were killed in central Mali during an attack claimed by al Qaeda’s regional affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), according to SITE Intelligence Group on Friday.
The attack occurred on Thursday, targeting mercenaries operating in the Sahel region, a zone fraught with separatist uprisings and militant insurgencies by groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.
Mounting risks for mercenaries in West Africa
This incident adds to growing risks for Wagner-linked operatives in Mali. The group has faced severe challenges, including heavy losses during a July clash with Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants near the Algeria-Mali border. These events highlight the volatile conditions mercenaries face while supporting military juntas in the region.
According to a report by Reuters, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have struggled for over a decade to control vast territories seized by extremist groups, leading to increased reliance on foreign military assistance.
SITE Intelligence Group reported that JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that seven Wagner mercenaries were killed and weapons were seized. Photos allegedly shared by JNIM depicted bloodied bodies and confiscated arms.
Conflicting reports on death toll
A video reviewed by Reuters showed at least five deceased men in military fatigues near a damaged vehicle. Reuters could not independently verify the footage or the accompanying claims.
A Malian army source corroborated the death of seven individuals, including Russian operatives, while two local officials confirmed the incident, with one specifying that five Wagner fighters were among the dead.
A regional security consultant attributed the attack to Katiba Macina, a branch of JNIM, and estimated that at least six Russians were killed.
Russian presence in Mali
Russian personnel in Mali, officially described as military trainers, are reportedly assisting local forces with equipment acquired from Russia. However, Wagner Group operatives, including those from a rebranded paramilitary force called Africa Corps, have played a key role in supporting Mali’s junta.
The Malian government has consistently denied allegations of deploying mercenaries, insisting that Russian forces are there to provide training and technical assistance.
This latest attack underscores the ongoing instability in the Sahel and the increasing risks faced by foreign military contractors operating in the region.
