The Tuareg rebel groups in northern Mali have long co-operated with Ukraine and received support from it, including the exchange of intelligence information, Deputy Secretary for External Relations of the rebel coalition CSP-DPA Attaye Ag Mohamed told French media.
"We have a long and varied relationship with Ukraine. We communicate with a wide range of Ukrainian agencies and discuss more than just intelligence sharing,” Attaye Ag Mohamed said.
There is reported evidence of Ukrainian drones used in combat against the Malian army. CSP-DPA, led by Bilal Ag Acherif, maintains that they in turn help Ukraine fight its enemies in Africa.
Earlier, Mali and Niger severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine over its alleged support for terrorists.
The transition government of Mali notified world governments, including countries supporting Kiev, that Ukraine "publicly supports terrorism," causing Mali to consider "support for Ukraine to be support for terrorism."