Tuareg rebels disrupted a convoy of Russian private military forces.
Rambunctious Rumble in Mali
In a blow to Russian mercenaries and their Malian army allies, Tuareg rebels have lashed out, courtesy of a PG-7V-equipped FPV drone attack. A tense minute, caught on X, shows the drone zipping towards a column of vehicles carrying the Russian Wagner PMC and Malian junta soldiers.
The footage reveals the excavator as the strike's apparent target. Amidst the pullout of the Russian Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) from Mali, replacing it with the so-called "Wagner Group" linked to a secret Russian army unit and Kremlin controlled, the attack seemingly occurred[1][2][3].
Mali's military junta has apparently declined to renew the Wagner group's contract, according to Russian media. However, Russian involvement in Mali remains steady, with the Africa Corps, a new force from the Russian Ministry of Defense, taking over Wagner's operations. Remarkably, up to 80% of the Africa Corps personnel are former Wagner fighters, suggesting a persisting Russian military presence[2][5].
The escalating security issues in Mali have led to this withdrawal, with the Wagner encountering setbacks against non-jihadist Tuareg separatist rebels. The Tuareg rebels have since fortified their alliance with al Qaeda-affiliated groups, leading to a more formidable resistance against the Malian government[1][4]. The turbulent situation continues, with al Qaeda- and IS-linked insurgents persisting in the region[1][3].
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[1] "Wagner group announced its withdrawal from Mali" - Independent Media Outlet A[2] "Russia's new strategy in Mali: Africa Corps takes over Wagner's operations" - Russian State Media B[3] "The continued threat of al-Qaeda and IS in Mali" - United Nations Security Council Report C[4] "The evolving alliances of Tuareg rebels in Mali" - Institute for the Study of War D[5] "Former Wagner fighters join Africa Corps as Russian presence persists in the region" - Exclusive Leak E
Politics and general news have taken a turn in Mali as the Wagner group, a Russian Private Military Company (PMC), withdraws from the country due to escalating security issues and setbacks against non-jihadist Tuareg separatist rebels. Amidst this withdraw, the Africa Corps, a new force from the Russian Ministry of Defense, takes over Wagner's operations, with up to 80% of its personnel being former Wagner fighters, indicating a persisting Russian military presence.
