In a significant blow to Mali’s military and its Russian allies, separatist forces in the northern region of Kidal have reportedly achieved a major victory, according to a spokesman for the rebels.
The setbacks occurred during intense fighting on Saturday, highlighting the ongoing struggle between Mali’s government forces and separatist groups seeking autonomy.
Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, spokesman for the CSP-DPA, an alliance of predominantly Tuareg separatist armed groups, informed AFP that the Azawad fighters have gained control over key areas, including Tinzaouatene and parts of the Kidal region.
This development marks a notable shift in control in an area that has been a stronghold for pro-independence forces.
“Azawad fighters are in control in Tinzaouatene and further south in the Kidal region,” Ramadane stated. He claimed that Russian mercenaries and Malian armed forces had been forced to retreat, with some fleeing the battlefield and others surrendering.
Ramadane also shared videos depicting numerous corpses of soldiers and their allies, underscoring the severity of the losses suffered by the Malian and Russian forces.
Local sources corroborate the rebels’ claims, with a local politician reporting a provisional toll of at least 17 dead among the Malian forces.
The politician also noted that the CSP-DPA fighters remain entrenched in Tinzaouatene, while the Malian army and Wagner Group mercenaries—who are linked to the Russian private military company—have reportedly withdrawn from the area.
Fighting has been ongoing in the region as part of Mali’s broader effort to reclaim territory from separatist and jihadist groups.
The country’s military leaders, who came to power through a coup in 2020, have made retaking control of the north a central goal of their administration.
The Kidal region, in particular, has been a focal point of these efforts due to its significance as a bastion of separatist activity.
The reported retreat and significant casualties are a substantial setback for Mali’s military campaign, which has been supported by Russian mercenaries, including those from the Wagner Group.
The group’s involvement in Mali has been part of a broader strategy to bolster the Malian government’s efforts to combat separatist and jihadist insurgencies.
The defeat in Kidal and the surrounding areas also reflects the ongoing volatility in Mali’s northern regions, where control over territory frequently shifts between various armed groups.
The situation remains fluid, with further clashes expected as both the Malian government and separatist forces vie for dominance.
The recent events come amid a backdrop of broader security challenges in the region, where multiple armed groups and shifting alliances complicate efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.
The continued presence of separatist and jihadist elements underscores the difficulty of Mali’s military campaign and the broader challenges facing the West African nation in its struggle against insurgency and separatism.
As the situation evolves, international observers and stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments in Mali, particularly in light of the recent setbacks for the Malian military and its Russian allies.
The conflict in northern Mali remains a critical point of concern, with ongoing implications for regional stability and security.