Wagner Group Launches "Vengeance" Operation in Mali: Renewed Offensive Targets Tinzawaten.

 Details have emerged about the "Vengeance" operation launched by the Wagner Group against the CSP-DPA forces and the residents of the Malian village of Tinzawaten, located near the Algerian border.

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Following their devastating defeat on July 27, the private military company, hired by the Malian army to pacify northern regions, is attempting a renewed assault. This time, they are doubling their manpower and employing a more strategic approach. In July, the Russians, alongside Malian soldiers, split into two units to attack the areas of In Afarak and Tinzawaten. Each group, consisting of around 100 men, was repelled, with the unit reaching Tinzawaten being completely wiped out, leaving most of its members dead.

Since then, Wagner has slowly regrouped, first at Gao, where they trained with Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) throughout August and September. They have now moved toward Kidal, using it as a launchpad for a punitive expedition, in collaboration with Tuareg factions MSA and GATIA. Having gathered in Kidal for the past week, they set off yesterday towards Tin Ssako, with plans to advance north.

The Russian forces aim to focus on Tinzawaten by dispatching a convoy of 50 vehicles along the desert route, steering clear of mountainous areas. A second convoy would follow to protect the first, while a third group is tasked with securing the logistical link between Kidal and Tinzawaten. Reports indicate that 300 to 500 men, 100 vehicles, two helicopters, and two drones are involved in the operation.

The timing of Wagner’s move appears deliberate. Recent weather conditions have drastically altered the terrain, making it difficult for the defenders of the northern Malian town to navigate. Additionally, the area is currently experiencing an epidemiological crisis, with hundreds of people infected by yellow fever and diphtheria, further weakening local defenses.

 One intriguing aspect of the operation is Wagner's apparent anticipation of potential Algerian air intervention. They reportedly constructed a life-size mock-up of a Pantsir air defense system mounted on a Chinese truck chassis. This decoy was discovered abandoned north of Tin Ssako after a mechanical failure, suggesting an effort to provoke Algeria.

Last night, Wagner's convoy encountered difficulty progressing through the sand and took a break in the village of Tinakarot, where they destroyed the local school.

Meanwhile, CSP-DPA forces remain resolute, declaring their intention to stand firm and not evacuate the area in the face of Wagner's advancing forces.