Mali’s army and its Russian mercenary allies have withdrawn from a major northern military base, as rebel groups intensify coordinated attacks against the ruling junta.
The strategic stronghold in Tessalit, near the Algerian border, was surrendered on Friday without direct confrontation, according to local sources. The base had served as a critical military hub due to its location and airstrip capable of handling large aircraft.
The development follows a surge in violence led by Tuareg separatists under the Azawad Liberation Front and jihadist fighters from JNIM, an Al-Qaeda-linked group. The two factions have formed a rare alliance, mounting what analysts describe as one of the most significant offensives in the country in over a decade.
In recent attacks, rebels reportedly seized the northern town of Kidal and launched operations near the capital, Bamako, including a blockade restricting movement in and out of the city.
The situation has been further destabilised by the reported killing of Defence Minister Sadio Camara, a key figure in the military government, in a car bomb attack near Bamako.
Malian forces were also said to have abandoned another base in Aguelhok, about 100 kilometres south of Tessalit, signalling a broader retreat from parts of the north.
The crisis highlights growing insecurity in the Sahel region, where Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, has formed the Alliance of Sahel States after cutting ties with France and strengthening cooperation with Russia.
Humanitarian concerns are also mounting, with UNICEF reporting civilian casualties, including children, as well as attacks on health facilities and schools.
The latest developments mark a critical moment for Mali’s junta, as insurgent groups expand their reach and challenge government control across key regions.