ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Dozens of Wagner mercenaries were killed by jihadis and rebels over the weekend in northern Mali in what one analyst described on Monday as the largest battleground blow to the shadowy Russian group in years. At least two others were taken captive.
Approximately 50 Wagner fighters in a convoy were killed in an al-Qaida ambush, which was joined by rebels who were in pursuit, along the border with Algeria, said Wassim Nasr, a Sahel specialist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, a security think tank, who said he counted bodies in a video of the aftermath. The mercenaries had been fighting mostly Tuareg rebels alongside Mali's army when their convoy was forced to retreat into jihadi territory and ambushed south of the commune of Tinzaouaten, Nasr said.
Wagner confirmed in a Telegram statement on Monday that some of its fighters as well as Malian troops were killed in a battle with hundreds of militants. The mercenary group did not say how many of its fighters were killed. Mali's army said it lost two soldiers and 20 rebels were killed.
In a statement over the weekend, al-Qaida asserted that 50 Wagner fighters were killed in its attack meant to “avenge the massacres committed in the center and north” of Mali in the yearslong battle against the extremists. The Tuareg rebels said an unspecified number of the mercenaries and Malian soldiers surrendered to them.
The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the video Nasr cited.
“This is really important. It’s never happened before on African soil and it will change the dynamics," Nasr said. “They (Wagner) won’t be sending any more wild expeditions like this near the border with Algeria. They had been bragging about how well they were doing and how strong they are, but they don’t have the manpower to do this for long or to hold on territory to secure deployments.”
Russia has capitalized on the deteriorating relations between the West and coup-affected Sahel nations in West Africa to send fighters and assert its influence. Wagner has been active in the Sahel — the vast expanse south of the Sahara Desert — as the mercenaries profit from seized mineral riches in exchange for their security services.
Wagner has been present in Mali since late 2021 following a military coup, replacing French troops and international peacekeepers in helping to fight militants who have threatened communities in the central and northern regions for more than a decade. At the same time, Wagner has been accused of helping to carry out raids and drone strikes that have killed civilians.
The group has had an estimated 1,000 fighters in Mali.
Since helping Mali's forces to regain control of the key northern town of Kidal, Wagner mercenaries have been overconfident and overstretched, said independent analyst John Lechner.
He said failures like the weekend ambush are the reason why the Wagner brand was retained in Mali. “Large losses or setbacks are attributed to private military companies," he said. "Victories to the (Russian) ministry of defense.”
Mednick reported from Dakar, Senegal. Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.
People stand near an improvised memorial to Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and others who died in a plane crash with him last year, near the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, July 29, 2024. The Russian mercenary group Wagner suffered its heaviest loss in Africa's Sahel region late last week following an attack that was launched separately by both local and al-Qaida-linked rebels. At least 50 Wagner fighters were reported killed in the attack which raised questions about the group's capacity and whether such an attack could pose any setback to its activities. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
LONDON (AP) — Sri Lanka was on course for a series-closing victory over England after reaching 94-1 in its chase of 219 to win the third test at The Oval on Sunday.
After skittling England for 156, Sri Lanka seized control late on Day 3 as Pathum Nissanka played beautifully for 53 not out and was enjoying a 55-run partnership with Kusal Mendis (30 not out).
The tourists needed 125 more runs to win, though have already lost the series after defeats at Old Trafford and Lord's. England is seeking a second straight series sweep this summer, having beaten the West Indies 3-0 in July, but is now the big underdog.
It was a dominant day in south London for Sri Lanka, which started the day on 211-5, was dismissed for 263 to be only 62 runs behind after the first innings, and then bowled out a sloppy England batting unit in 34 overs.
Only a brilliant, counterattacking 67 from wicketkeeper Jamie Smith saved England from an embarrassing score in its second innings. The hosts were 82-7 at one point and failing to deal with some fine swing and seam bowling by Sri Lanka, but Smith came to the middle and flailed shots to all parts of the ground in a 50-ball knock that contained 10 fours and a six.
Aside from Smith and Dan Lawrence — whose cavalier 35 was exciting but hardly controlled — no other batter got above 12. Ollie Pope, a first-innings century-maker, was out for 7, opener Ben Duckett was dismissed also for 7 when mishitting a slog over fast bowler Asitha Fernando's head and star batter Joe Root only added 12 to his 13 from the first innings before being trapped lbw by Vishwa Fernando.
Lawrence's dismissal summed up England's often-strange approach as he advanced down the wicket and attempted a white ball-style heave, only to edge behind.
Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the bowling attack with 4-21 and the Sri Lankans were suddenly in with a big chance after being set 219 to win.
Nissanka brought up his second fifty of the match, this time off just 42 balls, and now has seven half-centuries in 11 tests.
Dimuth Karunaratne (8) was the only Sri Lankan batter to depart when he got a thick inside edge off Chris Woakes, who dived to take the return catch.
The pitch was offering some joy for England, with 20-year-old left-armer Josh Hull — who removed Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva (69) and Vishwa Fernando (0) early on Day 3 to finish with figures of 3-53 in his first test match — getting plenty of movement.
Bad light brought an early end to play, by which time Mendis had joined Nissanka in taking the attack to England's bowlers.
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Sri Lanka's Vishwa Fernando, front right, successfully appeals for the wicket of England's Joe Root, left, during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Sri Lanka's Lahiru Kumara, left, celebrates taking the wicket of England's Chris Woakes during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
England's Jamie Smith batting during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
England's Jamie Smith batting during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
England's Dan Lawrence batting during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
England's Harry Brook catches a ball during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
England's Josh Hull celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva, centre, during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, London, Sunday Sept. 8, 2024. ( John Walton/PA via AP)
Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, London, Sunday Sept. 8, 2024. ( John Walton/PA via AP)
England's Josh Hull celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva, left, during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, London, Sunday Sept. 8, 2024. ( John Walton/PA via AP)
Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando batting during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test at The Kia Oval, London, Sunday Sept. 8, 2024. ( John Walton/PA via AP)
Sri Lanka's Lahiru Kumara celebrates taking the wicket of England's Ollie Pope during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)
England's Ollie Pope is bowled Sri Lanka's Lahiru Kumara during day three of the Third Rothesay Men's Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka in London, England, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)