Photo: Inside Africa
The Tuareg rebel alliance in Mali stated that they did not receive any external assistance, particularly from Ukraine, during recent fighting that dealt a significant blow to the Malian army and “Wagner PMC.”
Tinzaouatene Conflict: Heavy Losses for Wagner
In early August, northern rebels reported fierce fighting in Tinzaouatene near the Algerian border, where they claimed to have killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. This marked Wagner’s largest defeat since their intervention two years ago on the side of Mali’s military government against insurgent groups.
Allegations of Ukrainian Support: Diplomatic Tensions
On July 29, a Ukrainian military intelligence representative made a statement interpreted by Mali as potential information sharing with the rebels. Consequently, Mali severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the move hasty, stating there was no evidence of Kyiv’s support. Niger followed suit, citing the same comments to break ties with Ukraine.
Rebel Alliance Statements: No External Aid
Mohamed El-Maouloud Ramadan of the “Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security, and Development” (CSP-PSD) alliance said, “We can clearly say that we did not receive any external assistance to conduct the fighting in Tinzaouatene.” When asked about financial or other support from Ukraine, Ramadan denied any such aid.
Losses on Both Sides: Concealment of True Figures
Neither Mali nor Wagner disclosed the exact number of casualties, though Wagner acknowledged heavy losses in a rare statement. The group “Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin” (JNIM), linked to al-Qaeda, also reported an ambush killing 50 Wagner mercenaries and 10 Malian soldiers.
Regional Political Situation: Strengthening Ties with Russia
The Tuaregs rebelled against the Malian government in 2012, but control shifted to Islamist groups. A peace agreement was signed in 2015, but the CSP-PSD alliance withdrew from negotiations in 2022. The juntas in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which came to power in 2020, have strengthened ties with Russia, promising to tackle the jihadist movement in the region.
Source: reuters
