A security analyst, Brant Philip, has reported that terrorists captured several Malian soldiers during coordinated attacks on military positions in parts of Mali on Saturday.
Philip, in a series of posts on 𝕏, said the attacks targeted Malian army positions in Aguelhok, Gao, Sevaré, Anefis and Kenioroba.
He said the offensive was carried out by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad.
Philip also said there were unverified reports that a Russian Africa Corps Su-24 fighter jet crashed near Gao after it was allegedly hit by anti-aircraft fire close to Anefis.
“Unverified reports that an Su-24 jet of the Russian Africa Corps crashed in Gao after getting hit by AA near Anefis,” he wrote.
“Heavy smoke rising from the Gao Air Base currently,” he added.
The alleged crash had not been independently verified, and there was no official confirmation from Russian or Malian authorities as of the time of filing this report.
According to Philip, the Russian Africa Corps was fighting alongside the Malian military to repel the attacks.
“The Africa Corps reports to be engaged in combat alongside the Malian army to repel the JNIM/FLA offensive against their positions in Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok,” he said.
Philip further claimed that additional Malian soldiers were taken prisoner by the FLA in Anefis.
