Stories from Kidal · Mali

France recommended that its citizens leave Mali as soon as possible on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front stated in an interview with Agence France Presse that the current regime will fall. The spokesperson added that one of the independence movement's objectives is the permanent departure of Russia, which supports the Malian government. The announcement comes amid reports of victims, including young male farmers. The source noted the security situation is evolving. The advisory follows attacks that occurred over the recent weekend. The Kidorsee estimates that more than 4,000 French nationals are currently registered in the country. The security situation is described as remaining highly volatile. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, known as the Quai d'Orsay, recommends that French nationals leave Mali.

Russian forces are accused of withdrawing too quickly from Kidal, leaving Malian soldiers exposed. Some voices claim the soldiers were not evacuated and have since been taken prisoner. The incident follows attacks by GED groups over the weekend. The situation is impacting political discourse regarding Russian partnerships in Africa.

Al Qaeda-linked jihadists and Taureg rebels have captured the city of Kidal in Mali. The takeover follows a coordinated attack on strategic positions.

Loyalist media reports suggest Russian Africa Corps militias may be operating out of the garrison city of Kidal.

A spokesperson stated that 76 million dollars are missing in Mali. The declaration follows coordinated attacks by jihadists and separatists on strategic positions. These groups have seized the key northern city of Kidal.

Malian sources told Radio France Internationale that Russian troops, formerly part of the Wagner Group, abandoned the northern city of Kidal. The troops reportedly did not fight or defend the city as jihadists and rebels seized power. Mali is currently cooperating with these Russian forces despite reports of betrayal. Russian paramilitaries have withdrawn from the city of Kidal in northern Mali following weekend attacks by jihadist groups and Tuareg rebels. Malian armed forces have taken control of several localities, specifically in the Kidal region, according to reports. The situation remains described as worrying. While Russian forces are reportedly no longer on the ground, active combat continues in the area. The government reported that Russian Islamist rebels and Tuareg separatists drove Malian forces and Russian mercenaries out of their positions.

Iyad Ag Ghaly is identified as a central figure in conflicts involving the Caïda and the Azawad Liberation Front, a dominant Tuareg rebel group. Ag Ghaly, originally from the Kidal region, has been involved in rebellions since the 1990s and transitioned toward radical Islamism in the 2000s. Drone footage reportedly features the voices of Ag Ghaly and his deputy commanding combat operations. He is described as a major figure in regional terrorism. Video footage shows Aghgali and his deputy monitoring and directing combat in near real-time. Aghgali is a central figure in Malian armed conflicts and has been active for over three decades.

The city of Kidal in northern Mali remains under the control of the JNIM and FLA groups. This follows a series of large-scale attacks that have plunged the country into a serious security crisis. The situation follows joint attacks by these groups three days ago. A video claiming to show a recent downing of a Malian L-39 Albatros jet in Kidal has been identified as old footage. The clip actually depicts a jet carcass from September 2023 clashes between the Malian army and CSP fighters. The video also falsely claims Vladimir Putin issued a personal reaction to the alleged recent event. The video has been identified as part of a disinformation campaign regarding Russian reactions to recent attacks. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) took control of Kidal over the weekend, according to a group spokesperson. The FLA is an independentist group hostile to the central government in Bamako.

An attack by the Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin armed group, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, resulted in more than 80 Russian deaths. The incident occurred following the deployment of Wagner Group forces to northern Mali to replace the previous French contingent. The source noted that no results have been observed since the Russian forces arrived in the region. An attack by a Wagner Group-linked armed group killed more than 80 Russians in northern Mali. The group, identified as Jimaat, Nusrat, Al-Islam, Wal, Muslimin, and Al-Qaeda-linked, carried out the assault. Reports of atrocities and mass killings have emerged since the transition. A reporter on the Cameroon border reported seeing two Russian mercenaries issuing orders to Central African army soldiers.

Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga addressed wounded military personnel following coordinated attacks by jihadist groups and the Azawad Liberation Front. Rebel leader Asim Ag Igoite has not been heard from since the takeover. While calm has reportedly returned to Bamako, the overall security situation remains uncertain. Defense Minister Sadio Kamara is reported dead and the intelligence chief was wounded as Kidal fell to rebels. Kidal has passed to rebel control and Asim Ag Igoite's status is unknown. The retreat follows the inability to secure key strongholds and the loss of territory in the region. The source noted that different Telegram channels are reporting conflicting details regarding the situation in Kidal. The status of Jeune leader Asim Igoita remains unknown as he has not been seen. Maïga paid tribute to Defense Minister Sadio Kamara, who was killed on Saturday.