Rebels kill 50 Russian troops in Mali

At least 50 fighters from the Russian mercenary group Wagner have been killed in an ambush by al-Qaida militants and Tuareg rebels in northern Mali.

The attack, which also resulted in the capture of two Wagner fighters, is believed to be the largest blow to the group in years.

According to Wassim Nasr, a Sahel specialist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, the Wagner convoy was forced to retreat into jihadi territory and was ambushed south of the commune of Tinzaouaten. Nasr counted the bodies in a video of the aftermath and confirmed the heavy losses.

Wagner confirmed the attack in a Telegram statement on Monday, but did not specify the number of fatalities. The Malian army reported that two soldiers were killed and 20 rebels were killed in the battle.

Al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was meant to “avenge the massacres committed in the center and north” of Mali. The Tuareg rebels also reported that an unspecified number of Wagner fighters and Malian soldiers surrendered to them.

The attack is seen as a significant blow to Wagner’s operations in Mali, where they have been active since late 2021.

The group has been accused of human rights abuses and has been involved in several controversies in the region.

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