IED event in Mali on Thu 1st January 2026

IS-Sahel released images from the Africa Corps - Malian army vehicle 
they targeted near Menaka, and of the helmet of one of the Russian 
mercenaries, adding that they monitored a helicopter landing near the 
IED site to evacuate the wounded.

IS-Sahel also stated that Russia "competes with the Crusader West in 
looting underground treasures" in the Sahel, using Africa Corps, and 
that the regional government only switched from American guardianship to
 Russian guardianship since the coups.

IS-Sahel says that despite the Wagner PMC rebranding to Africa Corps, or
 the Western powers withdrawing to be replaced by Russia, nothing has 
changed for them and that they will continue to target "Russian invaders
 alongside American and European invaders wherever they land [...] No 
distinction is made between an Eastern infidel or a Western infidel".