Mali: Tuareg separatists and jihadists attack Russian mercenary convoy

In northern Mali, Tuareg rebels and the al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group JNIM attacked a convoy of mercenaries from the Russian Defense Ministry's 'African Corps,' along with Malian soldiers, according to AFP and Reuters.

The convoy, escorting more than 200 Russian fighters and over 100 Malian soldiers, was heading toward the northern town of Anefis, Reuters reported. A contingent of Russian mercenaries and Malian troops continues to hold a military base in the rebel-held town.

Anefis is critical to holding the strategically important city of Kidal, located roughly 100 kilometers away and controlled by Tuareg groups, AFP said.

Russia's 'African Corps,' run by the Defense Ministry, supports Mali's armed forces in their fight against Tuareg rebel groups, which have long sought to establish their own state in the north of the country.