The Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary group, has announced its withdrawal from Mali following the completion of its main mission. The group has been operating in the West African country since 2021, working with the military to combat Islamist militants.
Wagner claimed it had killed “thousands of militants and their commanders” who terrorized civilians for years. However, the announcement comes as reports emerge of a resurgence in jihadist attacks on military bases in Mali.
The Sahel region has seen increased violence in recent weeks, with al-Qaeda linked groups carrying out deadly attacks on military bases and civilian populations. Last Sunday, an al-Qaeda linked group attacked the town of Boulikessi, killing over 30 soldiers.
In addition to Wagner’s withdrawal, reports indicate that Malian soldiers have also withdrawn from a major base in the country’s center after coming under attack. This marks the second deadly assault on a military base in less than a week.
Mali has been grappling with an Islamist insurgency for over a decade. The government took control of power a few years ago, but faced criticism for its handling of the issue. With French troops withdrawing from the country in 2022, Russia and other countries stepped in to provide support, including the Wagner Group.
Although Wagner is leaving Mali, Russian forces will still play an active role in the country’s security landscape. A rival Russian mercenary force, the Africa Corps, will remain in Mali to absorb some of Wagner’s activities on the continent.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3ve0e7ndzo