Russian Forces Withdraw from Kidal as Mali Rebels Seize Key City
A major coordinated offensive by Tuareg separatists and jihadist militants has forced a significant strategic shift in northern Mali, culminating in the withdrawal of Russian forces from the key city of Kidal. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a Tuareg separatist group, and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, launched a series of attacks across the country starting April 25th. The assault targeted several Malian towns, with the most intense fighting concentrated in the northern stronghold of Kidal, where government forces were backed by the Russian Africa Corps. After two days of intense street battles, the Russian Africa Corps confirmed it had reached an agreement with the rebel forces to withdraw. Social media statements from the corps stated they had 'left the locality' alongside Malian troops, retreating to a former UN peacekeeping base on the city's outskirts. The FLA announced that the withdrawal, negotiated following the clashes, was permanent, leaving the town entirely in rebel hands. Reports from Russian media outlet EADaily described the situation as 'very difficult,' with unconfirmed information emerging about a Russian helicopter being shot down during the fighting. The offensive had devastating consequences nationwide, including a deadly car bomb attack in the capital, Bamako. Mali's Defense Minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in the explosion, a significant blow to the country's military leadership. The events mark a major setback for the Malian junta, which had expelled French forces and instead relied on Russian military contractors to combat a long-running insurgency by separatist and Islamist groups. The fall of Kidal represents the most substantial gain for rebel forces in recent years and signals a dramatic reversal for both the Malian government and its Russian allies.
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Street battles and withdrawal of Russian mercenaries: Inside the 48-hour fall of Mali’s Kidal - France 24
The Azawad Liberation Front and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) launched an offensive against several Malian towns on April 25. In the north, the city of Kidal was recaptured following…
Mali’s Tuareg rebels announce deal for Russian Africa Corps withdrawal from Kidal - France 24
Fresh fighting erupted Sunday in the key Malian town of Kidal between Tuareg rebels backed by jihadists and government forces supported by Russian mercenaries, a day after insurgents launched coordinated strikes across the restive Sahel nation. Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) on Sunday announced a deal for a Russian withdrawal ...
Further north Russian mercenaries hired by Mali's military agreed to withdraw from Kidal after two days of clashes, the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) group said. For years, Mali has been plagued by insurgencies by groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, and the FLA. Quoting Camara's family and French media, news ...
Insurgent assault forces Russian withdrawal in northern Mali - The Globe and Mail
The Russians retreated to a former UN peacekeeping base on the outskirts of Kidal. After negotiations, the insurgents agreed to let the Russians withdraw, leaving the town entirely in rebel hands.
Russia's Africa Corps said on social media that they have pulled out of Kidal in northern Mali as the separatist group Azawad Liberation Front has taken control of the city. Azawad Liberation Front said Russian forces agreed to withdraw permanently.
Russian Africa Corps Forced Out of Kidal as Rebels Seize Key Mali City — UNITED24 Media
Russian mercenaries escape the Malian city of Kidal, April 2026. (Photo: open source) Russian forces operating in Mali, along with Malian government troops, have withdrawn from the northern city of Kidal after reaching an agreement with a coalition of Tuareg and Islamist fighters, marking a ...
It's difficult in Mali: A Russian helicopter was shot down, the African Corps is being withdrawn from Kidal — Tsarev — EADaily, April 26th, 2026 — Military, Russia
In Mali, the situation is very difficult, there was information about the withdrawal of the African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces from the city of Kidal.
Russian fighters confirm withdrawal from northern Mali city after separatist attacks
After a weekend of co-ordinated ... city of Kidal. In a series of social media posts, Russia's Africa Corps said they had "left the locality" along with Malian troops. The separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) group said on Sunday the Russian troops had agreed to withdraw permanently, ...
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