An alliance of Azawad rebels and the jihadist group JNIM is actively attacking positions held by Mali’s military junta and Russian mercenaries from the so-called “African Corps,” gradually expanding their territory and capturing military equipment.
According to OSINT analysts, including Clément Molin and Casus Belli, in the previously captured city of Kidal, home to one of the largest Russian bases, the rebels seized control of the station for Mali’s Bayraktar TB2 drones, which were delivered in December 2022.
According to Clément Molin, gaining control of Kidal is a strategic victory for the Tuaregs: the city holds symbolic significance as a former capital and is central to their aspirations to establish their own state.
Furthermore, the loss of Kidal significantly complicates the supply of garrisons north of the city. It is reported that Russian units left the city using a “green corridor” provided by the rebels in exchange for a withdrawal without a fight.
It is also reported that Russian-Malian forces have withdrawn from the city of Tessalit, opening the way for rebels to advance toward Aguelhok and Anefis, and forcing the enemy to retreat toward Gao province.
According to Casus Belli, government and Russian forces have also abandoned positions in the Intaasa area (Gao province) – a region known for its gold deposits.
As early as 2024, the capture of one of the mining facilities here was presented as a significant achievement.
Despite massive rocket and bomb strikes by Russian forces, which slow the pace of the advance, they are unable to stop it.
Meanwhile, rebel formations, including the Tuaregs, are actively using FPV drones and artillery to strike Russian-Malian units.
Militarnyi previously reported that during clashes in Kidal, the Russians lost equipment, including a BTR-82A armored personnel carrier, a Chinese VP11 armored vehicle used by Russian forces, and a captured Tornado-U armored vehicle. Russians also report losses among mercenaries.
During the fighting, the African Corps employed a wide range of weaponry, including BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, 590951 Spartak armored vehicles, and Tigr-M armored vehicles with the Arbalet-DM combat module.
