[jpoesen]

Mali's a Daesh hotbed.

Mali has been close to Russia politically, culturally, economically, and militarily since the 1960's.

Mali's welcomed Russian troops, including Wagner's, in the wake of the French pulling out.

"[The Russian involvement in Mali] signals a major expansion of Russia's military interests in Africa and a strategic setback for the West. The deployment of Russian military contractors signals a profound break with France and the West."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58751423

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/un-security-council-end...

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/12/russias-presence-mali-r...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali%E2%80%93Russia_relations