Major blow to Putin in Africa as Russian forces driven from Mali stronghold by separatists, jihadists
– JOHANNESBURG: A big defeat for RussiaThe mercenary African Union is reportedly fighting jihadist and tribal militias in Mali. Deadly attacks by al-Qaeda-linked rebels and mostly Muslim Tuareg tribes in cities in the West African country continued Monday; There are also reports that senior figures in Mali’s military junta have been killed or injured.
Analysts say this could be a turning point in Moscow’s influence in West Africa. Russia is seizing Mali’s precious metals, including gold, in exchange for promises to protect the country against rebels. But on Sunday rebels reported that Russian mercenaries were forced to withdraw from their base in the northern city of Kidal.
“The attacks are a big blow to Russia,” Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told The Associated Press. “(Russian) mercenaries had no intelligence on attacks and were unable to protect major cities. By not distinguishing between civilians and combatants, they unnecessarily worsened the conflict.”
Video of the dead soldiers, whose characteristics appeared to be Russian, and Russian military vehicles reportedly leaving Kidal was seen by Fox News Digital.
A column of black smoke rises above buildings as traffic passes by the African Tower monument in Bamako on April 26, 2026. On April 25, 2026, synchronized shock attacks by Tuareg rebels affiliated with the Front for the Liberation of Azawad (FLA) and the jihadist Group in Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) targeted many regions in the vast arid country. Clashes resumed on 26 April in several areas near Bamako, including Kita, Kidal, Gao and Severe. Meanwhile, Tuareg rebels announced an agreement allowing Russian forces supporting the Malian army to withdraw from the northern city of Kidal, which they claim is “completely” under their control.
(Getty Images)
Defense News Nigeria media site reported that Russia’s Afrika Korps “was heavily outnumbered 6 to 1” in Kidal, adding: “The Corps claimed between 10,000 and 12,000 fighters took part in yesterday’s attacks. 2,000 Russian mercenaries operating Financial. According to the Nigerian publication, the Malian government pays Wagner $10 million a month for security.”
On Monday, a Russian blog on Telegram claiming to come from Kidal said: “African Corps units stationed and fighting in Kidal left this settlement together with military personnel of the Malian army. First of all, wounded soldiers and heavy equipment were evacuated. The personnel continues to fulfill the assigned combat mission. The situation in the Republic of Mali remains difficult.”
A spokesman for the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) told The Associated Press that Russian troops withdrew from the city after a “white” agreement was reached. This has not been confirmed by either the Malian government or the Russian Foreign Ministry.
This undated photo distributed by the French army shows three Russian mercenaries in northern Mali. Russia has engaged in under-the-radar military operations in at least a half-dozen countries in Africa over the past five years, using an unspecified mercenary force that analysts say is loyal to President Vladimir Putin. Analysts say the mercenary African Union (formerly the Wagner Group) is also key to Putin’s ambition to re-impose Russian influence on a global scale.
The Russian foreign ministry said on its Telegram account: “Two hundred and fifty militants attacked Bamako Senou International Airport and the nearby military base. The Armed Forces of Mali repelled the attack and are now taking further steps to eliminate the militia, which reportedly may have been 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 can have very serious consequences for the entire region.”
The military junta, which first came to power in Mali with a coup in 2020, announced on Monday that both the chief of staff, Gen. Oumar Diarra, and the director of the national security agency, Gen. Modibo Koné, were injured in the attacks.
The government had previously confirmed that Sadio Camara, said to be the second most important figure in the Malian military junta, was killed in clashes. Camara was Mali’s defense minister and is widely credited with deploying Moscow’s mercenary Afrika Korps to help fight the militias.
The rebels trying to take over Mali are said to be jihadists affiliated with Nusrat al-Islam (GSIM/JNIM), which is linked to tribesmen of the FLA and other groups. Islamic State. GSIM’s stated aim is to transform Mali into an al-Qaeda-linked Islamic caliphate with strict sharia law.
“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Mali,” a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Monday. “We offer our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and everyone affected. We stand with the people and government of Mali in the face of this violence. The United States remains committed to supporting efforts to advance peace, stability, and security in Mali and the region.”
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“U.S. citizens should continue to shelter in place, remain alert, monitor local news for updates, and avoid areas where security operations may continue,” the U.S. Embassy in Mali warned on its website Sunday.
On Monday, multiple reports said Malian troops and Russian mercenaries were also 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.
Original article source: Big blow to Putin in Africa as Russian forces are driven out of Mali stronghold by separatists and jihadists
