Earlier today, an armed incident occurred in northern Mali, resulting in a military convoy coming under fire. The column included more than 200 Russian mercenaries, as well as local military personnel. The convoy was heading to the city of Anéfis, located in the northern part of the country, where active hostilities are currently taking place.
Air Support from Niger
During the clashes, the neighboring state of Niger, an ally of the ruling authorities in Mali, provided air support to the blocked units. Official representatives of the Malian army and the Nigerien military command have not yet provided comments to journalists regarding the incident.
Responsibility for the Attack
Responsibility for the attack on the convoy was officially claimed by the armed group "Azawad Liberation Front" (FLA). However, the question of possible involvement by another radical organization — "Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin" (JNIM) — remains open. According to agency sources, this is not the first such incident in recent days: earlier this week, militants ambushed another military convoy moving in the same direction.
Russian Presence in Africa
It should be recalled that Russia has created an extensive network for recruiting mercenaries in Africa to participate in hostilities against Ukraine. Under the guise of employment, the Kremlin attracts citizens of almost 40 African countries into its armed formations. Furthermore, the Russian Federation actively uses African states to bypass international sanctions, recruit new fighters, and gain access to important natural resources.
