Violence in Central Sahel has not improved, experts say, as some Russian mercenaries depart

Russian mercenaries hired to provide security in Burkina Faso began leaving the country in late August — they say to resist Ukraine's recent incursion into Russia. Recent data shows the mercenaries have had little impact in the Sahel's war against Islamic terrorist groups. Burkina Faso saw one of the deadliest militant attacks in recent years the same week the Russians left.