JNIM Ambushes Russian Africa Corps and FAMa Column Near Kaka, Mopti Region — 13 Killed

JNIM fighters ambushed a joint Russian Africa Corps and Malian junta (FAMa) column near the village of Kaka in Mali's Mopti region on September 8, 2026, killing 13 soldiers. JNIM claimed to have seized 14 motorcycles, two PKM machine guns, six Kalashnikov assault rifles, six grenades, ammunition, and a DJI-made reconnaissance drone. Among the captured weapons were several 2023-model AK-15 assault rifles — the first documented instance of JNIM capturing this newer-generation Russian rifle, according to specialized conflict monitors Sahel Alerte and War Noir, whose reporting was relayed by Ukrainian military outlet Militarnyi. The ambush is the latest in a string of JNIM strikes on Africa Corps/FAMa columns in central and northern Mali since the group's July 2026 attack on a convoy carrying 200+ Russian mercenaries and 100+ Malian soldiers (approximately 60 Malian troops killed, 30 captured), underscoring the continued exposure of Russian-Malian joint patrols to ambush even outside the active Kidal/Gao front.