Wagner forces involved in Mali battles were stationed in Libya

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French sources revealed that Wagner forces, which participated in battles in northern Mali against the Azawad movements and suffered significant losses at the end of June/July, were stationed in Libya. The West expresses concerns about the negative repercussions of Russia’s growing influence in North Africa and the Sahara region on international stability.

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According to French state radio, many Wagner elements who fought in the “Tinzawatene” region near the Algerian border were stationed in Libya and also fought in the 2019 war between the Libyan National Army and the Government of National Accord.

Wagner elements, whose number ranges between 2,000 and 2,500, are stationed at several military sites in Libya, including Al-Qurthabiya airbase, its seaport, and Al-Jufra airbase. They extended their presence to the southwest, where they were stationed at Brak al-Shati airbase, 700 km south of Tripoli.

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Russia has been involved in the Libyan crisis for years, supporting the Libyan National Army in its fight against the Government of National Accord, a support that raised concerns in Washington and was one of the reasons that contributed to the failure to capture Tripoli and liberate the western region from militia control.

Northern Mali has witnessed violent clashes over the past two months between the Malian forces, which relied on Wagner mercenaries and Turkish drones, and the Azawad movements after the collapse of an Algerian-brokered peace agreement.

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The Tuareg rebel groups lost control of several areas in northern Mali by the end of 2023, following an offensive by the Malian army that culminated in the capture of Kidal.

Experts following the trajectory of Russian influence told French radio that Libya has become, since 2023, a logistical platform and a base for Wagner fighters and the “African Legion” before their deployment to various African countries.

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The French report adds that armored and armed vehicles used by Wagner forces in northern Mali crossed through Libya to support the Malian army. It was also noted that Russian cargo planes regularly landed in southern and eastern Libya.

Footage shows armed vehicles being unloaded from a ship at Tobruk port, while a local resident confirmed that the area had become a Russian military base.

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Wagner forces intervened to support the Malian army after strengthening cooperation between Moscow and the Malian military council, which overthrew former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, supported by the West, in 2020.

In July 2023, during the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would provide tens of thousands of tons of free grain to six African countries, including Mali.

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Moscow aims to strengthen its presence on the continent, with military forces alongside investments and aid. Russia has several expansion plans in countries neighboring the Central African Republic, particularly Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have freed themselves from French influence. Consequently, Moscow sees a fertile ground for its presence, given its lack of a colonial past in Africa.

Meanwhile, the West, led by the United States and France, warns against the expansion of Russian influence in Africa.