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Russian troops pull out of Kidal amid separatist claims
Russian forces have withdrawn from the northern Malian city of Kidal following a weekend of coordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants, the Russia-linked Africa Corps confirmed on Monday.
Weekend of violence across Mali
Explosions and gunfire erupted in multiple regions on Saturday, including the capital, Bamako, and the central cities of Sevare and Mopti. In the north, Gao and Kidal-located near the Sahara's southern edge-also came under attack.
In Kati, a town near Bamako housing a major military base, Malian Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a suicide truck bombing at his residence. The assaults targeted both government forces and Russian personnel supporting Mali's military junta.
Separatists declare control of Kidal
The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg separatist group seeking independence for northern Mali, claimed on Sunday that Russian troops had agreed to a permanent withdrawal from Kidal. The FLA declared the city "now free" and said it had reached an agreement with the Africa Corps to ensure their safe exit.
A source close to Kidal's governor told AFP that neither Malian nor Russian forces remained in the city, leaving it under the control of the FLA and jihadist groups. Mali's government has not officially confirmed the claim.
Jihadist groups exploit chaos
The al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched simultaneous attacks across Mali, including in Tessit, south of Gao. JNIM claimed Malian troops had surrendered there, offering safe passage in exchange for weapons. The military has not responded to the allegations, which remain unverified.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)-comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger-called the attacks a "monstrous plot" orchestrated by "enemies of Sahel liberation" but provided no further details.
Russia's shifting role in Mali
The Africa Corps, which replaced the Wagner Group after its leader's death in 2023, confirmed the evacuation of wounded personnel and equipment from Kidal. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the group acknowledged civilian casualties but vowed to continue operations elsewhere in Mali.
Led by Russian Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and GRU intelligence officer Maj-Gen Andrey Averyanov, the Africa Corps has faced accusations of atrocities against civilians, mirroring Wagner's legacy. Contractors reportedly earn at least $3,000 monthly, with Russia gaining access to Mali's gold, uranium, and diamond resources in return for military support.
Aftermath and uncertainty
By Monday, Bamako had returned to relative calm, with schools and offices reopening and weekend checkpoints dismantled. However, fighting in Kidal resumed briefly on Sunday before the FLA announced the withdrawal deal.
Kidal, a historic stronghold of the Tuareg separatist movement, was recaptured by Malian forces and Wagner mercenaries in late 2023 after over a decade under rebel control. Its loss now marks a significant setback for the junta's efforts to stabilize the north.
