#russia-relations

#russia-relations

Sahel countries launch a joint battalion to fight armed groups as they boost ties with Russia amid vulnerable security situation. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced the launch of a joint military battalion aimed at fighting armed groups across the Sahel, one of Africa's poorest and most volatile regions. The initiative was announced at the end of the two-day Alliance of Sahel States (AES) summit in the Malian capital, Bamako, as the three countries struggle to improve the security situation amid rising attacks from separatist groups as well as armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).

Since the outbreak of the war, Turkiye has weighed its support for Ukraine against maintaining its ties to Russia. The situation remains complex as diplomacy unfolds.