Al Qaeda affiliate Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) has claimed responsibility for an ambush in Mali’s Kidal region, killing 50 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 10 Malian soldiers.
The attack on Saturday occurred near the Algeria border, coinciding with ongoing clashes involving Tuareg rebels in Tinzaouaten.
The ambush is reported to be a significant setback for Wagner, marking its worst defeat since arriving in Mali two years ago to support the junta’s fight against Islamist insurgents. Wagner confirmed heavy losses, including the death of their commander, Sergei Shevchenko.
Mali’s army, which recently began a “stabilisation operation” in the area, had been engaged in combat with Tuareg separatists and Islamist militants. The army stated that sandstorms contributed to their losses and allowed insurgents to regroup.
