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Russia's Wagner Group Says Its Mission in Mali Complete

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Wagner Mercenary Group Ends Support Mission in Mali

Reuters

Russia's Wagner mercenary group says it is leaving Mali after 'mission accomplished'

Russia's Wagner group declares mission accomplished in Mali

Pravda

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Foreign Policy

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The Straits Times

Africa Corps to stay in Mali after Russia's Wagner mercenary group leaves

Russia's private military company Wagner said in a statement on Friday that its fighters are leaving Mali after three and a half years of operations as the group's main mission in the country — to support the military junta to regain control over all regional capitals — is now allegedly complete.

Russia's private military company Wagner said in a statement on Friday that its fighters are leaving Mali after three and a half years of operations as the group's main mission in the country — to support the military junta to regain control over all regional capitals — is now allegedly complete.

Wagner claims to have eliminated thousands of Islamist insurgents, including four leaders, in its operations and to have trained local security forces, with Bamako noting that these actions allowed the resumption of key activities in the mining industry. According to a Wagner source, many in the Malian military opposed the departure.

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John Lechner

Wagner claims to have eliminated thousands of Islamist insurgents, including four leaders, in its operations and to have trained local security forces, with Bamako noting that these actions allowed the resumption of key activities in the mining industry. According to a Wagner source, many in the Malian military opposed the departure.

This announcement comes in the wake of military setbacks over the past weeks, which insurgents say left more than 100 dead among Malian soldiers and mercenaries, including a bombing attack near Bamako on Wednesday.

This announcement comes in the wake of military setbacks over the past weeks, which insurgents say left more than 100 dead among Malian soldiers and mercenaries, including a bombing attack near Bamako on Wednesday.

The Russian Africa Corps, subordinate to the Defense Ministry, has replaced Wagner forces in Mali and consists of approximately 70-80% former Wagner mercenaries according to Russian military sources. This transition represents a shift from Wagner's independent operations to direct Russian military oversight following founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's death.

Charlie Werb

The Russian Africa Corps, subordinate to the Defense Ministry, has replaced Wagner forces in Mali and consists of approximately 70-80% former Wagner mercenaries according to Russian military sources. This transition represents a shift from Wagner's independent operations to direct Russian military oversight following founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's death.

Mali's military junta, which seized power in 2020-2021, turned to Russia for support after expelling French and UN forces that had operated in the country for over a decade. The partnership began in late 2021 when junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita struck a deal with Prigozhin for Wagner's counterinsurgency services.</span

Izvestia

Mali's military junta, which seized power in 2020-2021, turned to Russia for support after expelling French and UN forces that had operated in the country for over a decade. The partnership began in late 2021 when junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita struck a deal with Prigozhin for Wagner's counterinsurgency services.

The mercenary group's operations in Mali were part of Russia's broader expansion into the Sahel region following France's military withdrawal from its former colonial territories. Wagner accused Western forces of exploiting Mali's natural resources while claiming Russian fighters brought advanced military technology to support local forces.</span

The mercenary group's operations in Mali were part of Russia's broader expansion into the Sahel region following France's military withdrawal from its former colonial territories. Wagner accused Western forces of exploiting Mali's natural resources while claiming Russian fighters brought advanced military technology to support local forces.

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Wagner's departure follows recent military setbacks, including a July ambush near Tinzaouatene where Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked jihadists reportedly killed dozens of Wagner fighters and Malian soldiers. Ukrainian intelligence claimed involvement in providing information for the operation, leading Mali to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine.</span

Wagner's departure follows recent military setbacks, including a July ambush near Tinzaouatene where Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked jihadists reportedly killed dozens of Wagner fighters and Malian soldiers. Ukrainian intelligence claimed involvement in providing information for the operation, leading Mali to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine.

The Russian Africa Corps, subordinate to the Defense Ministry, has replaced Wagner forces in Mali and consists of approximately 70-80% former Wagner mercenaries according to Russian military sources. This transition represents a shift from Wagner's independent operations to direct Russian military oversight following founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's death.</span

Wagner claimed significant territorial gains during its Mali deployment, including the symbolic capture of Kidal, a Tuareg separatist stronghold where Malian forces had not operated for years. The group also reported eliminating four terrorist group leaders and destroying 11 militant strongholds across the country.</span

Wagner claimed significant territorial gains during its Mali deployment, including the symbolic capture of Kidal, a Tuareg separatist stronghold where Malian forces had not operated for years. The group also reported eliminating four terrorist group leaders and destroying 11 militant strongholds across the country.

Wagner's departure represents a strategic retreat following devastating military losses, particularly the Tinzaouatene ambush that exposed the group's tactical failures and overconfidence. The mercenaries' presence destabilized Mali further, contributing to ethnic violence and failing to address root causes of conflict. Ukraine's successful intelligence operation against Wagner demonstrates the group's vulnerability and Russia's declining influence in the region.

Wagner's departure represents a strategic retreat following devastating military losses, particularly the Tinzaouatene ambush that exposed the group's tactical failures and overconfidence. The mercenaries' presence destabilized Mali further, contributing to ethnic violence and failing to address root causes of conflict. Ukraine's successful intelligence operation against Wagner demonstrates the group's vulnerability and Russia's declining influence in the region.

Wagner Group Ends Mali Mission After 3.5 Years

Armed conflict

Mali

Russia

Wagner successfully completed its counterterrorism mission in Mali, eliminating thousands of militants and restoring government control over all regional capitals. The group helped build Mali's military capacity and achieved in months what France couldn't accomplish in years of Operation Barkhane. Russian forces brought advanced weapons and genuine partnership, unlike Western powers that exploited Mali's resources while failing to provide real security solutions.

Wagner successfully completed its counterterrorism mission in Mali, eliminating thousands of militants and restoring government control over all regional capitals. The group helped build Mali's military capacity and achieved in months what France couldn't accomplish in years of Operation Barkhane. Russian forces brought advanced weapons and genuine partnership, unlike Western powers that exploited Mali's resources while failing to provide real security solutions.

There's a 50% chance that the next presidential election in Mali will be held by April 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 50% chance that the next presidential election in Mali will be held by April 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Wagner Group Claims 'Mission Accomplished,' Leaves Mali

Wagner Group EndsClaims Mali 'Mission AfterAccomplished,' 3.5Leaves YearsMali

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