Suspected Jihadists attack ‘Russian camp’ in Mali
Suspected jihadists attacked a military camp in central Mali on Saturday, two local elected officials and a diplomatic source told AFP, referring to the site as a “Russian camp”.
Mali’s junta in 2022 began working with what it calls Russian military “instructors”. Opponents say these are mercenaries from the Wagner group.
“We have no toll for the moment — the situation is still confused — it is jihadists who targeted the airport and the Russian camp next to it”, a local elected official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Two Malian military officials also confirmed the attack had taken place in the town of Sevare, in the Mopti region.
READ ALSO:
Around 5:30 am (0530 GMT), four loud explosions could be heard, followed by automatic weapons fire, several people on the ground told AFP. Smoke was also seen near the airport.
“It is the Russian camp and their planes that have been targeted — the camp is near the airport”, another local official told AFP.
“The jihadists have surrounded part of the airport.”
He said that Senegalese soldiers from the UN’s mission in Mali, MINUSMA, were able to slow the jihadists’ advance.
MINUSMA’s camp covers four hectares of land next to the airport and the Malian army camp that houses the Russians.
A MINUSMA official declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
“We are facing a terrorist attack in Sevare — our men are on the ground”, a Malian military official told AFP.
“It was a complex attack that required a booby-trapped vehicle and guerrilla techniques,” another military source said.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025 The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their…
Disaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight An Abuja-Lagos flight was…
NNPC achieves 1.8mbpd crude oil production The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and…
BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year The federal government has unveiled…
EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)…
FG gets fresh $134m loan from AfDB for agric projects The Federal Government has secured a…