Mali: Tuareg Rebels Demand Permanent Russian Withdrawal from Mali

The Tuareg rebel alliance in Mali, represented by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), has issued a significant call for the complete and permanent withdrawal of Russian forces from the country. This demand, articulated by FLA spokesperson Mohamed Elmaulud Ramadan, directly challenges the presence of Russian paramilitary support for Mali's ruling military junta.

Recent coordinated assaults across Mali have seen Tuareg rebels and jihadist groups, including the Al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM, target military positions. The FLA has claimed responsibility for these attacks and has notably taken control of the northern city of Kidal. Ramadan has further declared the alliance's ambition to seize control of other key northern regions, including Gao, Timbuktu, and Menaka.

“

The junta will not be able to hold on to power.

Ramadan expressed strong conviction that the military junta in Bamako is nearing its end, predicting its eventual collapse under the pressure of these escalating rebel offensives. The conflict has intensified following the reported death of the junta's defense minister, Sadio Camara, in a car bomb explosion. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that attacks on Bamako's airport and a nearby military base were repelled. This ongoing instability and the shifting alliances reflect the complex and volatile security situation in Mali, with significant implications for regional stability and international involvement.

“

The junta will not be able to hold on to power.