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Russia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine coordinating jihadist attacks in Mali
Ukrainian military instructors are training and arming al-Qaeda-linked militants in Mali, according to local outlet Bamada. Jihadist groups in the West African country have been waging a deadly insurgency against authorities for more than a decade. The discovery was made during recent operations by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) following renewed attacks by Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) jihadist group, Bamada has reported. JNIM fighters reportedly attacked security posts in Sirakorola and Tanabougou, in Mali's southwestern Koulikoro region, on May 30. According to the outlet, FAMa forces repelled the assault, seizing weapons, documents, and equipment—days after ambushing the militants near Djongue Bambara in the Sofara region, where they were trapped while attempting to flee across the Sebedaga River. 'In a car abandoned by the attackers, Malian soldiers found a phone containing photos of Ukrainian security service documents, as well as a drone bearing Ukrainian writing,' Bamada said in a report published earlier this week. 'A preliminary investigation by the Malian military shows that the FPV drones were delivered to Mali via Mauritania by Ukrainian military instructors linked to Azawad fighters. It is highly likely that the Tuaregs, in turn, are sharing this equipment with JNIM as part of their alliance,' it added. Additional documents allegedly linked to Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) were seized in the Sofara area. 'The documents indicate that Ukrainian agents coordinated terrorist attacks against FAMa near Mopti, supplied drones equipped with Ukrainian delivery systems and even carried out drone attacks on Malian positions,' the outlet reported. The Bamada report is the latest in a series of accounts alleging Kiev's involvement with terrorist groups in Mali and the wider Sahel. In August, Afrique Media cited military sources claiming that Ukrainian 'sabotage units' had been assisting jihadist insurgents in attacks against the Malian army, including with drones provided by Kiev. Just last week, Russian Foreign Ministry official Tatyana Dovgalenko accused Kiev of funneling Western-supplied weapons to militants across Africa and training terrorist networks in the Sahel as part of 'systematic efforts to destabilize the continent.' The accusations were sparked by a July 2024 ambush by Tuareg rebels that left dozens of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner operatives dead. A spokesman for the HUR called the attack a 'successful military operation' by his agency. The transitional government in Mali, along with its allies in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, which are also grappling with militant violence, have severed diplomatic ties with Kiev. The three countries, founding members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have ended defense cooperation with France, accusing the former colonial power of fostering instability and covertly backing jihadist groups. The AES states have turned to Russia for security support.
United News of India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
14 terrorists killed in northern Mali following failed infiltration attempt
Bamako, June 3 (UNI) Fourteen terrorists were killed in the northern Malian city of Timbuktu on Monday after a failed attempt by terrorist fighters to infiltrate a military camp, according to a statement issued by the Malian Armed Forces. The statement said the infiltration attempt occurred around 10 a.m. local time (GMT+0), and that "the terrorists were swiftly repelled by the prompt response of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa)." "A provisional toll shows 14 terrorists killed, 31 suspected terrorists arrested, and weapons, vehicles, and various materials recovered," the statement added. The attempted infiltration came a day after a deadly attack on a military base in Boulkessi, located in the central region of Douentza. Local witnesses described it as "a true carnage," with at least 30 Malian soldiers reportedly killed. The attack was claimed on social media by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM/JNIM). In a separate statement on Sunday, FAMa confirmed the assault on the Boulkessi camp, stating only that it "responded vigorously before withdrawing," without providing further details or casualties. Over the past week, several military camps across central and northern Mali have come under attack, with GSIM/JNIM claiming responsibility. The assaults have resulted in heavy casualties and significant loss of military equipment. In many cases, the targeted camps were completely burned and numerous soldiers killed. Since 2012, Mali has been grappling with a deep and multifaceted crisis caused by separatist insurgencies, jihadist incursions and intercommunal violence, which have killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands of others. UNI XINHUA GNK
Zawya
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Mali: United Nations (UN) experts outraged by alleged arbitrary executions of at least ten people
UN experts* today expressed outrage at the arbitrary executions of at least ten people in Mali, saying the killings may amount to war crimes. 'We urge Malian authorities to conduct prompt, effective, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into these killings, in accordance with international law,' the experts said. 'Those responsible through commission of or complicity in these killings must be prosecuted, and procedures must be put in place to prevent their recurrence and to provide reparation to the victims.' Six men, three women and a two-year-old boy were killed in the Dioura sector (Mopti region) between 2 and 4 January 2025, during counter-terrorist military operations carried out by the Malian armed forces (FAMa), accompanied by Russian military and security personnel recruited by the 'Wagner' group. On 2 January 2025 (between 8 and 9 a.m.), the group of at least ten people, travelling in a pickup truck, reportedly left the town of Niono (Ségou region) for the Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania, where the mother of one of the victims lived. Between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m., the vehicle was intercepted by a patrol of the Malian armed forces (FAMa), accompanied by Russian military and security personnel recruited by the 'Wagner' group. From that moment on, the victims reportedly stopped sending news to their relatives. On Saturday 4 January 2025, the bodies of the victims and the burnt-out vehicle were found in the locality of Fatissouma, near Dioura (Mopti region). The bodies of some of the victims were hidden in a hole filled with tree trunks, others were buried, while others were thrown into a well. 'Malian authorities must ensure that the bodies of the deceased are properly recovered, documented and protected to help ensure their reliable identification and prevent them from becoming missing persons, before they are respectfully handed over to their families for their mourning and final disposal' the experts said. They stressed that this process is an integral part of the international legal obligation to conduct effective investigations and accountability, while protecting the identity of the deceased, to ensure that serious human rights violations and international crimes are properly documented, investigated, prosecuted and punished, and that families receive full and prompt reparation. The experts expressed grave concern at the statement issued by the 'Etat-Major Général des Armées' on 21 February 2025, announcing the opening of an investigation into these killings of 2 January 2025, while characterising them as 'false allegations'. This followed a similar statement issued by the 'Etat-Major Général des Armées' on 19 February 2025, which described recent reports of human rights violations by the Malian Army as 'defamatory allegations' aimed at demonising the achievements and successes of the Malian Army, vilifying the progress made in improving the security situation and promoting the apology of terrorism. 'We are deeply troubled by the apparent total impunity and the lack of prosecution and prevention of these violations attributed to Malian defence and security forces and foreign military and security personnel from the 'Wagner' group,' the experts said. They recalled recommendations made concerning counter-terrorism measures in Mali, including calls on the Government to ensure that military operations comply with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The experts have written to the Government of Mali, have offered technical assistance on forensic matters and are awaiting a response. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
