Russian Fighters Confirm Withdrawal from Northern Mali City After Separatist Attacks

By Chisom Adaeze

Russian-backed forces have confirmed their withdrawal from the northern Malian city of Kidal following a wave of coordinated attacks by separatist fighters and Islamist militants, marking a significant shift in the country’s long-running security crisis.

In a series of social media posts, Russia’s Africa Corps announced that its troops, alongside Malian government forces, had “left the locality,” effectively pulling out of one of the most strategically important cities in northern Mali.

The development comes after intense weekend violence that saw multiple cities across the country come under attack, raising fresh concerns about the stability of the Sahel region.

The separatist group Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) quickly capitalized on the withdrawal, declaring that Russian forces had agreed to leave permanently and announcing that Kidal was now “free” and under its control.

Kidal has long been a symbolic and strategic stronghold for Tuareg separatist movements seeking autonomy or independence for northern Mali. The city had served as an unofficial headquarters for separatist groups for over a decade before it was recaptured by Malian forces, with support from Russian fighters, in late 2023.

However, the latest developments suggest a dramatic reversal.

Over the weekend, coordinated attacks rocked several parts of Mali, including the capital, Bamako, where explosions and gunfire were reported. Violence also spread to central cities such as Sevare and Mopti, as well as northern regions including Gao and Kidal, highlighting the widespread nature of the assault.

In one of the deadliest incidents, Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara was reportedly killed in Kati, a military town near Bamako, following what authorities believe was a suicide truck bombing targeting his residence. The attack dealt a heavy blow to the country’s military leadership and underscored the growing boldness of armed groups operating in the region.

Analysts say the attacks appear to have been carefully coordinated between separatist factions and jihadist groups. While the FLA focused on reclaiming territory in the north, the Islamist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), which is linked to al-Qaeda, reportedly launched simultaneous assaults across multiple regions.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition of military-led governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger condemned the attacks, describing them as a “monstrous plot backed by the enemies of the liberation of the Sahel,” though it stopped short of identifying those allegedly responsible.

Fighting reportedly resumed briefly in Kidal on Sunday before a ceasefire-like arrangement was reached. FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane stated that an agreement had been struck with Russian forces to ensure their “secure withdrawal” from the city.

While Mali’s government has yet to officially confirm the loss of Kidal, sources close to local authorities suggest that state and allied forces are no longer present, leaving control in the hands of separatist fighters and jihadist elements.

Despite the setback in the north, Russia’s Africa Corps indicated that its operations in Mali are far from over, stating that military activities would continue in other parts of the country, though without providing further details.

Meanwhile, life in Bamako appeared to return to relative normalcy by Monday, with schools and offices reopening and temporary military checkpoints dismantled after the weekend’s unrest.

The unfolding situation highlights the fragile security landscape in Mali, where years of insurgency by separatist groups and extremist organizations have continued to challenge state authority. With Kidal once again slipping from government control, concerns are mounting over what the next phase of the conflict could mean for both Mali and the wider Sahel region.