Africa Corps-FAMa Joint Patrol Engages JNIM Militants on Motorcycles Near Manako, Mopti Region

On May 22, 2026 (reported May 23), a joint patrol by Russian Africa Corps soldiers and the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) operating near Manako in Mopti Region encountered a group of JNIM militants traveling on motorcycles. The patrol engaged the group in a firefight, with Russia-aligned Pravda Mali reporting that 'some of the terrorists were eliminated' without specifying casualty figures. The engagement reflects Africa Corps and FAMa's continued concentration of forces in central and southern Mali following the April–May 2026 withdrawal from northern towns (Kidal, Tessit, Aguelhoc, Tessit, Labbezanga). The Mopti Region operations are part of an ongoing effort to hold the central corridor and protect supply routes to Bamako — where JNIM's 'total siege' (declared April 28, Day 25 as of May 22) continues to disrupt 3 of 6 supply roads per Amnesty International. Manako operations are consistent with Africa Corps' documented repositioning to Mopti and Ségou regions following its withdrawal from Kidal; the Katiba Macina sub-group of JNIM has been operationally active throughout the Mopti Region since 2015.