SÉGOU REGION, MALI Terrorists from the JNIM group, which is linked to al-Qaeda, attacked a convoy of Malian and Russian Africa Corps forces. The attack took place between the villages of Dougabougou and Markala. According to the footage released, at least two soldiers lost their lives.
Mali is a West African country that has been grappling for more than a decade with an insurgency by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, separatist conflicts, and political instability. Following military coups in 2020 and 2021, the ruling junta turned away from Western partners, particularly France, and began cooperating with Russia. Russian soldiers, originally associated primarily with the Wagner Group, now operate under the banner of Africa Corps, an organization that falls under the Russian Ministry of Defense. They assist the Malian military with combat operations, training, and regime protection, but their presence has not prevented continued violence and insurgent attacks, including those carried out by JNIM.
