Wagner announced, they officially withdrew! It took exactly 3 years...

Russian mercenary group Wagner announced that it has withdrawn from Mali, where it has been operating for more than three years.

In a statement, Wagner said it had "successfully completed" the operations it carried out in the West African country.

In the fight against armed groups in Mali, all regional centers of the country were taken back under the control of the Malian military administration, the statement said, adding that the rebel forces were pushed back and many commanders were neutralized.

According to reports in the national press, Wagner's withdrawal meant that the Russian presence in the country would end, and that after Wagner, a new Russian-backed paramilitary formation, the Africa Corps, would take over activities in Mali.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, known as the "border of three countries" in the Sahel region, have been subjected to attacks by groups affiliated with the terrorist organization Al Qaeda and the terrorist organization ISIS in recent years.

Mali has been battling groups affiliated with the terrorist organization al-Qaeda and the terrorist organization ISIS in recent years. The military seized power following criticism that the civilian government was unable to cope with the threat.

France sent troops to Mali in 2013 to ensure security but withdrew its troops in 2022. After the French soldiers left, the military administration cooperated with the Russia-based Wagner Group.