Stories from Kida · Mali

The situation on the ground is described as extremely complex due to the collapse of Kidal and the possibility of other cities, such as Gao, also collapsing.

The city of Kidal is experiencing a slowdown in activity due to food shortages and a lack of public services. All schools in the city are currently closed, with the exception of Quranic schools. The Malian administration and teachers have withdrawn from the area.

Russia has deployed its Africa Corps, named after Erwin Rommel's Africa Corps, to Mali. The deployment comes as many African countries are experiencing civil unrest or conflict.

French troops have withdrawn from Mali, with Russian forces now present in Mali and Niger. The peak of violence in African countries was in the 1990s, when a majority of African countries experienced serious civil unrest or civil conflict.

France and Mali are experiencing diplomatic strain related to the city of Kidal. The source believes that the solution is not to have Russian troops there, as they only know how to shoot people, and a political and diplomatic approach is needed.

The FLA, a separatist group, has prevented the state from returning to Kidal. The separatist flag has now been raised again over the fort in Kidal. The Russian forces were described as having a small number of troops. The size of Mali is twice that of Ukraine.

Mali was struck by an offensive and found itself alone last week, despite Niger and Burkina Faso being obligated to provide military assistance. The countries of the Alliance of Sahel States, all led by military leaders from coups, had pledged mutual aid in major crises.

Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps began leaving the Amashashat and Salit military camps in the Kida region of Mali on Friday. The group dismantled their equipment and abandoned items they were unable to transport.

Russian Ministry of Defense reports that militants in Mali are conducting a regrouping operation. The militants intend to continue aggressive actions against the legitimate authorities in the country.

Mercenaries operating in Kidal reportedly negotiated directly with the enemy and abandoned Malian soldiers to Tuareg forces. The attack on Kati, previously considered more secure than Bamako, resulted in the death of the Minister of Defence in his home.