Rebels affiliated with al-Qaeda attacked Russian Wagner Group bases in northern Mali overnight and downed a helicopter carrying fighters who arrived to reinforce Russian forces, according to reports. The claim is unverified and rests on a single source.
A single unverified report claims that rebels affiliated with al-Qaeda attacked Russian Wagner Group bases in northern Mali overnight Sunday to Monday, downing a helicopter carrying reinforcements that had arrived to support the Russian forces. The report does not specify the type of helicopter, the exact location of the attack, or any casualty figures. The claim has not been independently corroborated.
This incident, if confirmed, follows a prior report from July 5 (as The Zioneer reported) of Tuareg rebels downing a Russian Mi-24 attack helicopter in Mali. The current report shifts the alleged perpetrator from the Tuareg to al-Qaeda-aligned rebels, though both groups operate in northern Mali and have targeted Russian and Wagner forces. No further details on the scale of the attack or the status of the crew are available.
2 developments
- DevelopingMali military claims control after jihadist attacks on villages
- DevelopingReports suggest Russian forces lose contact with Ka-52 attack helicopter
- DevelopingAl-Qaeda claims responsibility for attacks on military positions in Mali
- DevelopingNew book alleges Russian GRU, Wagner mercenaries helped prepare Oct 7 Hamas attack
Source and signal
- Internal intake