By Ollus Ndomu
Mali’s army has admitted to suffering “significant” losses in clashes with Tuareg rebels on July 25 and 26 near the border with Algeria. The Wagner mercenary group, also involved in the fighting, reported heavy casualties, with approximately 50 Wagner soldiers killed and the rest taken prisoner.
In a statement on state television, the army cited adverse weather conditions as a major factor impacting the battle. “The weather conditions had a major influence on the situation,” the statement read. Aircraft could not operate due to a sandstorm, and a Wagner helicopter was reportedly shot down.
First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Alexei Chepa blamed France and the United States for supporting and supervising the Tuareg Islamists involved in the attack. “Russia must respond to these countries,” Chepa stated.
The rebels claimed to have received advance information and necessary resources to carry out the operation against the Wagner PMC fighters, as confirmed by Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Yusov mentioned during a national telethon that “the rebels were provided with crucial information and resources that enabled them to conduct a successful operation against Russian war criminals.”
Among the reported casualties is Nikita “Bely,” the administrator of the GRAY ZONE Telegram channel. Additionally, Prigozhin’s successor, known as Lotus, was reportedly taken prisoner but has since been exchanged back, according to military correspondent Boris Rozhin.
This incident represents a significant blow to the Malian government’s efforts to dismantle rebel groups and highlights the ongoing struggle for control in the Sahel region.
