The northern Tuareg rebels in Mali claimed on Thursday to have killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers during intense fighting in late July. This announcement coincides with Russia reaffirming its continued support for the Malian junta.
The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP), a rebel movement, previously reported killing dozens in clashes around the northern border town of Tinzaouaten.
Additionally, an al Qaeda affiliate declared to have killed 50 Wagner fighters in an ambush in the same area.
Prior to the CSP’s most recent claimed death toll, these losses seemed to represent Wagner’s most substantial defeat since it started supporting Mali’s military authorities two years ago in their fight against insurgent groups in West Africa’s Sahel region, where conflicts have persisted since 2012.
Although neither Mali nor Wagner has specified the number of troops lost in the clashes, Wagner acknowledged heavy losses in a rare statement on July 29.
Similarly, Malian authorities have admitted to significant casualties in the battle without disclosing exact figures.
The noticeable defeat does not seem to have damaged the prospects for continued Russian-Malian cooperation.
Russia’s foreign ministry announced on Thursday that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had discussed with his Malian counterpart Russia’s “firm intention to continue providing essential support.”
This support includes addressing socioeconomic needs, enhancing the combat readiness of the armed forces, and training military personnel. The statement did not address the recent conflict.
Since the army, which took control in coups in 2020 and 2021, ousted French and U.N. forces—who had been engaged in fighting Islamist insurgents for ten years—Russians have been present in Mali, with Wagner stepping in as their replacement.
Malian authorities have alleged collaboration between Tuareg and jihadist groups, but the CSP stated that it operated independently, “from beginning to end,” throughout the current clashes.
The CSP claimed it had captured seven Malian soldiers and Wagner fighters, and had also confiscated a significant quantity of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment.
The Tuareg, who inhabit the Sahara desert, including parts of northern Mali, often complain of being marginalized by the Malian government.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Libyan investment authority expects U.N. approval to manage $70 billion in assets