The Wagner Group has declared its intention to withdraw from Mali, citing the completion of its objectives in the fight against terrorism, which coincides with escalating attacks on military installations in the region.
Wagner Group Announces Strategic Withdrawal from Mali Amid Ongoing Security Challenges
Wagner Group Announces Strategic Withdrawal from Mali Amid Ongoing Security Challenges
Russian mercenaries end operations in West Africa after claiming to eliminate thousands of militants
In a statement on its Telegram channel, the Wagner Group asserted that it had successfully collaborated with Mali’s military since 2021 to combat Islamist militants, stating it killed "thousands of militants and their commanders" who had long threatened civilians. This announcement arrives on the heels of reports indicating that Malian forces have retreated from a significant military base in the central part of the country following another deadly assault.
Mali has faced a persistent Islamist insurgency for over ten years, leading to a military coup that ousted an ineffective government years prior. The French military, once a stabilizing force, withdrew in 2022, as Mali’s junta sought the assistance of the Wagner Group in confronting the militant threat. However, Jihadist groups have intensified their attacks against military positions in recent weeks, raising questions about the effectiveness of Wagner's involvement.
Recent incidents, including a deadly attack by an al-Qaeda affiliated group on the town of Boulikessi that claimed over 30 soldiers' lives, and another assault on the historic city of Timbuktu, have further escalated fears regarding Mali's security. As the situation unfolds, sources indicate the Malian military’s strategic withdrawal from the Boulikessi base followed due to increased threats.
Despite Wagner's exit, a rival Russian mercenary group, Africa Corps, remains in Mali, ensuring Russia's persistent military and political influence continues in the region. However, the status of Wagner's operations in the Central African Republic, where it has established a headquarters, remains uncertain.
Mali has faced a persistent Islamist insurgency for over ten years, leading to a military coup that ousted an ineffective government years prior. The French military, once a stabilizing force, withdrew in 2022, as Mali’s junta sought the assistance of the Wagner Group in confronting the militant threat. However, Jihadist groups have intensified their attacks against military positions in recent weeks, raising questions about the effectiveness of Wagner's involvement.
Recent incidents, including a deadly attack by an al-Qaeda affiliated group on the town of Boulikessi that claimed over 30 soldiers' lives, and another assault on the historic city of Timbuktu, have further escalated fears regarding Mali's security. As the situation unfolds, sources indicate the Malian military’s strategic withdrawal from the Boulikessi base followed due to increased threats.
Despite Wagner's exit, a rival Russian mercenary group, Africa Corps, remains in Mali, ensuring Russia's persistent military and political influence continues in the region. However, the status of Wagner's operations in the Central African Republic, where it has established a headquarters, remains uncertain.
