Major blow to Putin in Africa as Russian forces driven from Mali stronghold by separatists, jihadists

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Mali unrest

Video shows armed militants gathering in Kidal, Mali as smoke rises.(Video: Reuters.)

JOHANNESBURG:A major defeat forRussia’s mercenary Africa Corps, in a battle with jihadist and tribal militia, is being reported in Mali.Deadly attacks by al Qaeda-linked rebels and mostly-Muslim Tuareg tribesmen across cities in the West African country are continuing Monday, also with reports of senior figures in Mali’s military junta being killed or injured.

Analysts say this could be a turning point in Moscow’s influence in West Africa.Russia has been grabbing Mali’s precious minerals, including gold, in return for promising to protect the country against the rebels.Sunday though rebels reported that Russian mercenaries have been forced to retreat from their base in the northern city of Kidal.

“The attacks are a major blow to Russia”, Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told the Associated Press.He added “the (Russian) mercenaries had no intelligence about the attacks and were unable to protect major cities.They have unnecessarily worsened the conflict by not distinguishing between civilians and combatants.”

US ALLOWING SOME NIGERIA EMBASSY STAFF TO EVACUATE OVER ‘DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION’

A column of black smoke rises above buildings as traffic passes the Africa Tower monument in Bamako on April 26, 2026.April 25, 2026’s shock attacks, synchronized by Tuareg rebels of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) coalition and the jihadist Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeted several areas in the vast arid country.Fighting resumed on April 26 in several areas, including Kita near Bamako, Kidal, Gao and Severe.Tuareg rebels meanwhile announced an agreement allowing Russian forces backing Mali’s army to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which they claimed was “totally” under their control.(AFP via Getty Images)

The Defense News Nigeria media site reported that Russia’s Africa Corps stated in Kidal “they were heavily outnumbered by a ratio of 6 to 1” adding “the Corps claimed that between 10,000 and 12,000 fighters were involved in yesterday’s attacks.There are2,000 Russian mercenaries operating inMali.The Malian government pays Wagner $10 million per month for security,” according to the Nigerian publication.

A Russian blog on Telegram Monday, claiming to come from Kidal, stated “the units of the African Corps that were stationed and fought in Kidal left this settlement together with the military personnel of the Malian army.First of all, wounded servicemen and heavy equipment were evacuated.The personnel continues to carry out the assigned combat mission.The situation in the Republic of Mali remains difficult.”

A spokesperson for the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front, or FLA, told the Associated Press that the Russian troops, have withdrawn from the city after a “white” agreement was reached.This has not been confirmed by either Mali’s government or Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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This undated photograph handed out by the French military shows three Russian mercenaries, right, in northern Mali.Russia has engaged in under-the-radar military operations in at least half a dozen countries in Africa in the last five years using a shadowy mercenary force analysts say is loyal to President Vladimir Putin.The analysts say the Africa Corps, formerly the Wagner Group, of mercenaries is also key to Putin’s ambitions to re-impose Russian influence on a global scale. (French Army via AP)

Russia’s ministry of foreign affairs said on its Telegram account that “two hundred and fifty militants attacked Bamako Senou International Airport and the military base located nearby.The Malian Armed Forces repelled the attack and are currently taking further steps to eliminate the militia that may have been, reportedly, trained by Western security agencies.Russia is deeply concerned about these developments.This terrorist activity poses a direct threat to the stability of friendly Mali and could have the most serious consequences for the entire region.”

Mali’s military junta, which first took power in a coup in 2020, Monday announced that both the chief of the armed forces’ general staff, Gen.Oumar Diarra, and the director of the national security agency, Gen.Modibo Koné, have been wounded in attacks.

The government confirmed earlier that Sadio Camara, said to be the second most important figure in Mali’s military junta, had been killed in the fighting.Camara was Mali’s defense minister, and is widely credited with bringing in Moscow’s mercenary Africa Corps to assist in battling the militia.

The rebels attempting to take over Mali are said to be jihadists from the Nusrat al-Islam (GSIM/JNIM) linked with the tribesmen of the FLA and other groups, including at least one linked withIslamic State.The GSIM’s declared aim is to turn Mali into an al Qaeda-linked Islamic caliphate with strict Sharia law.

“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Mali,“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected.We stand with the Malian people and government in the face of this violence.The United States remains committed to supporting efforts to advance peace, stability, and security across Mali and the region.”

Wagner troops standing in a group in Mali

File picture of Wagner group forces, now known as the Russia Corps, in Mali in 2024.(East2West)

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The U.S.Embassy in Mali warned Sunday on its website that “U.S.citizens should continue to shelter in place, remain alert, follow local news for updates, and avoid areas where security operations may be underway.”

On Monday, multiple reports started said that Malian troops and Russian mercenaries have also been forced by rebels to withdraw from the northern Malian city of Tessit.At the time of publication, this had not been confirmed by the Malian government.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Paul Tilsley is a veteran correspondent who has reported from four continents for more than three decades.Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, he can be followed on X @paultilsley.