Rebel and Jihadist Forces Capture Towns in Northern Mali

Rebel and jihadist fighters have captured multiple towns in northern Mali, according to images and reports from the region. Photographs showed damaged equipment at an abandoned barracks used by Russia’s Africa Corps in the town of Kidal. The developments come as Mali experiences a security crisis.

A Tuareg-dominated rebel alliance and jihadist groups joined forces to carry out attacks against the ruling junta and its Russian paramilitary backers. The joint operations by the rebel alliance and jihadists have targeted both junta forces and the Russian units supporting them.

Russian paramilitary personnel withdrew from positions in Kidal following the advances, leaving behind damaged military equipment.

The fighting has affected several locations across northern Mali. Images from the abandoned barracks depicted damaged vehicles and other matériel at the site previously occupied by the Africa Corps contingent. Mali’s instability follows years of conflict that intensified after the junta took power.

The current phase marks a significant escalation as previously separate rebel and jihadist elements coordinate operations against the government and its foreign supporters.