Malian forces and Russian mercenaries have pulled out of the northern city of Kidal after a series of coordinated attacks by separatist and jihadi groups.

Withdrawal from Kidal

The Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and al-Qaida-linked JNIM launched unprecedented joint operations, targeting Bamako and other key cities. The FLA announced that Russian Africa Corps troops and Malian military forces left Kidal after negotiating a peaceful exit.

Mohamed El Maouloud Ramadan, a spokesperson for the FLA, declared Kidal free, signifying a major shift in the region’s ongoing conflict. The Malian army has not yet issued a statement regarding the withdrawal.

Coordinated Assaults

The separatists, who have long fought for an independent state in northern Mali, collaborated with JNIM in launching one of the largest coordinated assaults on the Malian army. These attacks, which occurred on Saturday, targeted Bamako’s international airport and four other cities, including Kidal.

At least 16 people were wounded in the attacks, including both civilians and military personnel. This marks the first instance of such explicit collaboration between the separatists and JNIM, with both groups calling for the withdrawal of Russian forces.

Regional Response and Concerns

Wassim Nasr, a Sahel specialist at the Soufan Center, emphasized that this level of military and political coordination is unprecedented. The Malian government, currently under military rule, has increasingly relied on Russian support since recent coups.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the attacks and called for greater regional cooperation to address the escalating threat. Separatists have demanded Russia reconsider its support for the Bamako junta, citing civilian suffering.

Deteriorating Security Situation

Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, has turned to Russia for military assistance in combating Islamic militants, but the security situation has worsened, with a record number of attacks. Government forces have also faced accusations of targeting civilians suspected of aiding militants.

In 2024, JNIM claimed responsibility for attacks on Bamako’s airport and a military training camp, resulting in dozens of deaths. Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation cautioned that while the recent attacks undermine Russia’s credibility, JNIM is unlikely to seize control of Bamako soon due to local resistance.