Bamako [Mali], November 23 (HBTV): Seven Russian mercenaries from the Wagner private military group were killed in an attack in central Mali, according to reports from the SITE Intelligence Group. The assault was claimed by an al-Qaeda affiliate in North Africa, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.

The Wagner group, which operates in Mali to support the military junta, has been actively combating insurgencies across the Sahel—a region increasingly plagued by violence from Islamist militants. This latest attack adds to the growing list of incidents underscoring the risks faced by Wagner operatives in the region.

In July, Wagner forces faced heavy casualties in clashes with Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants near Mali's border with Algeria, exposing the dangers for mercenaries working under the aegis of West African military governments.

The involvement of the Wagner group in Mali has drawn criticism for allegedly intensifying the conflict and deteriorating the overall security landscape in the Sahel region. The recent attack further emphasizes the fragile state of security in Mali amid increasing instability. (ANI)