Mali’s battle for Anefis has become a test of Russia’s grip on the Sahel, as rebels encircle an army base and down a military helicopter.

Mali attacks hit Gao, Sévaré and Kati on July 4 as JNIM and FLA rebels pressed the widest offensive since 2012, testing the junta and its Russian allies.

Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda affiliates appear to have secured control of a key town in northern Mali following a coordinated offensive by the rebels over the weekend. The…