Terrorists are becoming more deadly in the Sahel region (Image: Getty)

       Vladimir Putin’s mercenaries are fuelling the rise of Islamist terror groups, a shocking report has warned.

       The Wagner Group’s “self-serving” agenda in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger is leading to more civilian deaths, the Counter Extremism Project said.

       And Islamist terrorists are using the increase in civilian deaths to bolster their own ranks.

       Powered By

       00:00/00:56

       10

       10

       Laura Hamilton forced to take desperate measures to avoid dress malfunction

       Share

       Next

       Stay

       The Wagner Group’s failure to maintain security has led to a deadly battle between Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin – an Al-Qaeda affiliated terror group – and Islamic State.

       Unrest has intensified in Mali (Image: Getty)

       The Counter Extremism Project’s Riza Kumar warned: “Wagner’s violent activities are increasing ammunition for violent extremist groups in their recruiting efforts across the Sahel. Whether or not Wagner establishes formal ties with Burkina Faso and Niger, the PMC’s impact is being felt across the region.

       “As violent extremist groups expand their geographical scope, they have the potential to influence the communities on the border areas and potentially persuade them to see Wagner as predatorial rather than protective.”

       The Wagner Group has established itself as an ally of coup leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

       Security chiefs have previously warned the region could descend into a new Islamist caliphate.

       But soldiers from the private military company are trying to secure unfettered access to gold, diamonds, uranium and oil within the region.

       This, Kumar warns, is helping Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

       The report stated: Wagner’s presence in Africa also indirectly benefits Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The PMC’s access to Africa’s reserves of gold, diamonds, uranium, and oil provide Russia with resources to compensate for international sanctions imposed on the Kremlin since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

       “To mitigate significant military losses, Russia has previously freed African prisoners and with minimal training deployed them to fight in Ukraine in 2022. Evidence indicates that this tactic was also used previously in the Central African Republic (CAR), another country where Wagner was deployed.”

       Russia's Wagner Group has increased its presence in Mali (Image: Getty)

       Trending

       The Counter Extremism Project warned the Wagner Group’s “counter-terrorism operations” have been “more of an afterthought” to the group’s bid to seize African resources.

       This has led to a record number of civilian deaths.

       The CEP said: “Recent figures reveal the grave reality haunting the central Sahel. Since January 2023, there have been a record number of terrorist deaths in the three countries; 2,725 in Burkina Faso, 844 in Mali, and 77 in Niger.”

       Extremists in the region are taking advantage of the security vacuum to fight for dominance.

       But the Kremlin has sought to blame Western forces for the deteriorating security situation.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       'Watch this space': Grant Shapps issues stark warning to Houthis over Red Sea attacks

       5 Comments

       Who is Morgan McSweeney? Keir Starmer's election guru you've never heard of

       10 Comments

       BBC accused of showing 'no intellectual appetite' to dramatise Post Office scandal

       93 Comments

       Jeremy Hunt tells Labour to stop criticising from the sidelines and set out tax cut plans

       15 Comments

       Humza Yousaf makes 'significant' Scottish independence admission in live TV interview

       38 Comments

       Keir Starmer sparks ‘dog whistle' race row at PMQs with claims PM ‘doesn't get Britain'

       517 Comments

       PMQs: An Ed Davey-sized hole on the Commons benches is very bad news for the Lib Dems

       100 Comments

       Huge fishing boom heralded on coast of Britain in ‘brilliant Brexit bonus'

       177 Comments

       Lee Anderson tells Ed Davey to 'clear off' over Post Office row in brutal PMQs attack

       696 Comments

       Rishi Sunak poised to make Post Office scandal announcement at Prime Minister's Questions

       34 Comments

       Nigel Farage slaps down Alastair Campbell in heated row over Keir Starmer and Post Office

       1114 Comments

       Ed Davey and Pat McFadden asked three key questions over Post Office scandal by Tory MP

       30 Comments

       Ed Davey and Paula Vennells told to hand earnings to victims over Post Office scandal

       52 Comments

       London named slowest city in the world sparking outrage at Sadiq Khan's 'war on motorists'

       139 Comments

       'Here's the truth of it': Nigel Farage makes dire Labour general election prediction

       862 Comments

       Russia's Wagner Group is helping Islamist terrorists, shocking report reveals

       7 Comments

       Horizon develop Fujitsu should contribute to compensation, Alex Chalk hints

       3 Comments

       Downing Street supports knighthood for Alan Bates for his efforts for justice in scandal

       Comments

       Keir Starmer's role in Post Office scandal must be investigated, demands former minister

       21 Comments

       Andrew Bailey makes desperate appeal to banks as high streets dealt major blow

       5 Comments

       'Watch this space': Grant Shapps issues stark warning to Houthis over Red Sea attacks

       5 Comments

       Who is Morgan McSweeney? Keir Starmer's election guru you've never heard of

       10 Comments

       BBC accused of showing 'no intellectual appetite' to dramatise Post Office scandal

       93 Comments

       Jeremy Hunt tells Labour to stop criticising from the sidelines and set out tax cut plans

       15 Comments

       Humza Yousaf makes 'significant' Scottish independence admission in live TV interview

       38 Comments

       Keir Starmer sparks ‘dog whistle' race row at PMQs with claims PM ‘doesn't get Britain'

       517 Comments

       PMQs: An Ed Davey-sized hole on the Commons benches is very bad news for the Lib Dems

       100 Comments

       Huge fishing boom heralded on coast of Britain in ‘brilliant Brexit bonus'

       177 Comments

       Lee Anderson tells Ed Davey to 'clear off' over Post Office row in brutal PMQs attack

       696 Comments

       Rishi Sunak poised to make Post Office scandal announcement at Prime Minister's Questions

       34 Comments

       Nigel Farage slaps down Alastair Campbell in heated row over Keir Starmer and Post Office

       1114 Comments

       Ed Davey and Pat McFadden asked three key questions over Post Office scandal by Tory MP

       30 Comments

       Ed Davey and Paula Vennells told to hand earnings to victims over Post Office scandal

       52 Comments

       London named slowest city in the world sparking outrage at Sadiq Khan's 'war on motorists'

       139 Comments

       'Here's the truth of it': Nigel Farage makes dire Labour general election prediction

       862 Comments

       Russia's Wagner Group is helping Islamist terrorists, shocking report reveals

       7 Comments

       Horizon develop Fujitsu should contribute to compensation, Alex Chalk hints

       3 Comments

       Downing Street supports knighthood for Alan Bates for his efforts for justice in scandal

       Comments

       Keir Starmer's role in Post Office scandal must be investigated, demands former minister

       21 Comments

       Andrew Bailey makes desperate appeal to banks as high streets dealt major blow

       5 Comments

       'Watch this space': Grant Shapps issues stark warning to Houthis over Red Sea attacks

       5 Comments

       Who is Morgan McSweeney? Keir Starmer's election guru you've never heard of

       10 Comments

       BBC accused of showing 'no intellectual appetite' to dramatise Post Office scandal

       93 Comments

       Jeremy Hunt tells Labour to stop criticising from the sidelines and set out tax cut plans

       15 Comments

       Humza Yousaf makes 'significant' Scottish independence admission in live TV interview

       38 Comments

       Keir Starmer sparks ‘dog whistle' race row at PMQs with claims PM ‘doesn't get Britain'

       517 Comments

       PMQs: An Ed Davey-sized hole on the Commons benches is very bad news for the Lib Dems

       100 Comments

       British and French troops both operated in Mali in a bid to prevent jihadis from spreading their influence, killing civilians and destroying lives.

       But the Ministry of Defence ordered British troops to leave after Mali grew closer to the Wagner Group.

       The Counter Extremism Project said: “Wagner has aligned with the Sahel to further Russia’s great power ambitions; the Sahel has had a long history with France, a Western power, that once pushed out of the region will benefit Russia’s geostrategic portfolio; and establishing a profile in the Sahel further reduces the area’s dependence on Western allies and international institutions, further isolating key competitors to Russia’s global ambitions. In varying degrees throughout the three countries, Wagner has ramped up anti-Western sentiment and discredited international forces for their less-than-successful counterinsurgency campaigns.”

       Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading

       Start 30-day

       FREE trial

       Related articles 'IS Beatle' set to be sentenced for terrorism offences 'Blood gold' has swollen Vladimir Putin’s coffers by whopping ￡2bn Desperate Putin makes ￡80m cash grab by money laundering gold to bankroll war Putin's right-hand man 'ordered assassination' of top rival in bid to stop rebel ISIS fanatics issue bloodcurdling threat against Jews across the world