A commander in the Russian mercenary group Africa Corps was killed in Mali during an attack by rebel fighters amidst a sandstorm.

Mali’s military regime enlisted the Wagner group, now known as Africa Corps, in 2021 to combat jihadist and separatist forces.

The group reported joining Mali’s military in fierce battles last week. A significant attack by separatists resulted in 20 to 50 mercenary deaths, including commander Sergei Shevchenko.

The Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD) claimed responsibility, while an al-Qaeda affiliate, JNIM, also claimed the attack, stating they killed 50 Russian mercenaries, BBC has reported.

Mali’s instability has worsened since the 2012 Tuareg rebellion and the rise of Islamist militants, leading the junta to seek Russian support after severing ties with France.

Written by B.C. Begley