Ukraine coordinating jihadist attacks in Mali
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
6 days ago
- Russia Today
France returns military base to Senegal
France has handed over a military communications base in western Senegal to local authorities after withdrawing its troops, the French embassy has announced. The West African nation's president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, called for an end to a decades-old defense pact with the former colonial power last year, declaring it 'incompatible' with the country's sovereignty. The joint broadcasting station located in Rufisque has been responsible for military communications along the southern Atlantic coast since 1960, the French mission in Senegal's capital, Dakar, said in a statement on Tuesday. Paris began pulling out its forces from Senegal in March, during which it transferred the Marechal and Saint-Exupery military facilities to the Senegalese government. In May, the Contre-Amiral Protet camp, located at the port of Dakar, was also returned. A joint commission established by both countries to oversee the process has stated that the handover of bases and the withdrawal of approximately 350 French troops will be completed by the end of 2025. The embassy said on Tuesday however that 'the last sites will be returned by the end of July 2025, according to the commonly agreed schedule,' as the commission continues efforts to 'renew the bilateral defense and security partnership.' Senegal gained independence from France in 1960 and had long remained one of the French government's most reliable partners in West Africa. However, in November, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in April 2024, announced his decision to fully remove the French military presence from the country. Earlier this year, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said France lacked both the capacity and legitimacy to guarantee Africa's security and sovereignty. His remarks followed French President Emmanuel Macron's claim that Sahel states had 'forgotten' to thank Paris for its military intervention against jihadist threats – a statement that sparked widespread anger. French troops have been expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups in the three Sahel countries. Chad also terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France last year. In February, France transferred the Port-Bouet military camp – its only army base in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – to the West African nation's authorities. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara claimed in his year-end address in December that the exit of about 600 French troops is intended to modernize the national armed forces.
Russia Today
7 days ago
- Russia Today
Putin is ‘sincere' leader
Transitional Malian President Assimi Goita has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for his honesty and practical approach to international relations, calling him a sincere statesman. Goita made the comments after meeting with Putin during an official visit to Russia last week, as reported by Malian outlet L'Essor on Monday. The Kremlin meeting concluded with the signing of several agreements, including on economic cooperation and peaceful nuclear energy. 'President Vladimir Putin is a pragmatic and sincere man. We have seen [it] through his gestures, all his openness,' Goita said. He expressed appreciation for the warm reception extended to him in Russia and emphasized that Mali's growing partnership with Moscow, especially in the security domain, had yielded concrete results. Without naming France directly, Goita noted that Mali had cut ties with former allies, adding that 'with Russia we [Mali] were able to arm ourselves.' 'Cooperation with Russia is effective. It is without demagogy, without manipulation,' he told reporters. Goita also confirmed that his meeting with Putin touched on the potential for broader collaboration between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States. He said discussions centered on three key areas: diplomacy, defense, and development. Ties have been growing between Russia and the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to bolstering the defense capabilities of AES countries. He stated that Russia was prepared 'to actively assist in building the capacity of the joint forces of the Sahel states, enhancing their combat readiness, as well as that of the national armed forces of each of the three countries, and in training military personnel and law enforcement officers.' This was Goita's second visit to Russia. He previously met Putin during the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in 2023. As part of this year's trip, the Malian leader also visited the Republic of Tatarstan in central Russia.
Russia Today
27-06-2025
- Russia Today
Sierra Leone to host Russian fishing fleet under new deal
Sierra Leone's government is prepared to grant Russian fishing operators an annual catch quota of 40,000 tons, along with investment incentives aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in the sector, the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo) has announced. The agency said the move was discussed during the inaugural session of the Russian-Sierra Leone Fisheries Commission held in Freetown, the capital of the West African country. 'The country [Sierra Leone] is interested in attracting up to 20 vessels to work in its exclusive economic zone,' Rosrybolovstvo wrote on its official Telegram channel. According to the statement, scientists from the two countries previously conducted marine biology research to assess the biomass and distribution of small pelagic fish species as part of the Great African Expedition launched by Rosrybolovstvo last August. The two sides are expected to launch detailed negotiations on operations in Sierra Leonean waters once research data is processed and interest by fishing companies in specific fish stocks and other marine resources is evaluated. Rosrybolovstvo added that the African country is also seeking cooperation with Moscow on port development, fleet modernization, and investment in coastal refrigeration and oversight systems. Russia's engagement in Africa has intensified in recent years, with several nations seeking joint projects with Moscow in defense, energy, education, and trade. The Kremlin has declared strengthening ties with the continent a top foreign-policy priority. In January, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed plans for new embassies to be established in several African nations, including Sierra Leone. For now, the Consulate General in Freetown remains Russia's primary diplomatic representation in the country. A series of agreements have been signed in recent weeks between Russia and African countries, including peaceful nuclear energy cooperation deals with Burkina Faso and Mali covering infrastructure development and joint projects in healthcare and agriculture. On Wednesday, TASS quoted Sierra Leonean ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo as saying that his country seeks cooperation with Russian IT firms such as Yandex, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare. He reportedly made the remarks during a plenary session at the XVI International IT Forum in the central Russian city of Khanty-Mansiysk.
