Russian fighters confirm withdrawal from northern Mali city after separatist attacks
Ethnic Tuareg fighters say they are in control of Kidal following a weekend of nationwide attacks, alongside Islamist groups.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"The FLA had remained in the city because 'elements of the Malian army and Russian mercenaries' were still present."
— Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane , Activist
"An accord has been reached permitting the Malian army and its African Corps allies to leave Camp 2, where they were holed up since yesterday."
— Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadan , Activist
Key People
Leader of Mali's military junta who seized power in a 2020 coup.
Spokesperson for the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front.
Spokesman for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).
Defence Minister of Mali who was killed during a recent attack.
Tags
All Coverage
Ethnic Tuareg fighters say they are in control of Kidal following a weekend of nationwide attacks, alongside Islamist groups.
Malian troops and Russian mercenaries withdrew from Kidal following coordinated attacks by rebel and jihadi forces, with the Azawad Liberation Front declaring the city 'free'.
Russian mercenaries from Moscow's Africa Corps withdrew from Kidal under escort by the Tuareg-led rebels they had been deployed to fight.
On April 25, 2026, Mali experienced an unprecedented and coordinated assault by the jihadist group JNIM, in alliance with the pro-independence Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (ALF).
The Russian Ministry of Defense’s Africa Corps units and Malian government troops withdrew from Kidal following a wave of coordinated insurgent attacks.
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