Military Watch:

Major Battles Near Malian-Algerian Border See Wagner Group Tackle Ukrainian-Backed Jihadists

North America, Western Europe and Oceania , Battlefield

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

July-30th-2024

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Malian Jihadists Pose with Ukrainian Flag

A growing number of reports have emerged of a series of major battles pitting Islamist militants from the Coordination of Azawad Movements group and Al Qaeda against both the Malian Armed Forces and Russian Wagner Group contractors. Clashes occurred near Tinzaouaten, northeastern Mali, not far from the Malian-Algerian border, where Islamist insurgents have operated extensively since 2012. The Wagner Group reported regarding hostilities: "On the first day, the group destroyed most of the Islamists and forced the rest to retreat. However, a sandstorm which occurred later allowed the radicals to regroup and increase their numbers to 1,000 people. In this regard, the command of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) decided to transfer additional forces to the area of combat operations to assist the 13th assault squad.” On July 25, the militants attacked again, "but thanks to the coordinated actions of storm troopers and Malian servicemen, the attempted attack was repelled… Over the next two days, radicals have stepped up the number of massive attacks, using heavy weapons, drones and car bombs, which caused losses on the part of the Wagner PMC and the Malian armed forces.”  

Three Wagner Group Contractors with Local Soldier in Northern Mali

On July 26 militants attacked Malian government forces in Tinzaouaten, causing 12 casualties. Hostilities have remained ongoing since then. While Malian government sources have repeatedly alleged that France has provided significant support to Islamist militants in the country, following the eviction of French forces by a new administration from 2020, a growing number of sources have indicated that the Ukrainian government has formed close ties with the jihadist groups. Militants were notably seen on July 29 posing with Ukrainian flags in the aftermath of hostilities. Ukraine has escalated efforts to provide armaments and training to islamist groups targeting Russian forces, and alongside Turkey has deployed special forces to northwestern Syria specifically for this purpose. The Malian Armed Forces have depended heavily on Russian support since the overthrow of the French-aligned government in the country in August 2020, with Wagner Group contractors playing a central role in providing training as well as in combat roles.