Bamako, 06 Oct 2026 – The Malian army and the Russian paramilitaries of the Africa Corps group have now begun large-scale air and land operations in the Kidal strategic city region, controlled by the rebels since late April.
© Samir Maouche / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images
06/10/2026
by
Lusa
“ ANDthese operations aim to locate and neutralize the armed terrorist groups operating throughout the region, destroy the hideouts and their supply networks, [and] permanently restore the security of the people and the free movement of persons and goods,” the authorities indicated in a statement.
An independent security source told the France-Presse news agency (AFP) that “the Malian military reinforcement convoy began marching towards Kidal early this morning, leaving the town of Anéfis,” adding that in recent days there have been several attacks, but that there has not been any confrontation with the Separatists of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA).
According to a Malian army officer, Malian armed forces and the Russian allies “are on the move for a few days in the region,” and the main concern of the authorities is the security of the people and the fight against terrorism.
Since 2012, Mali has been facing a deep security crisis, mainly fueled by the violence of extremist groups, their separatist allies from the FLA and community criminal groups.
This Sahel country, headed by a military junta, approached Russia, whose paramilitaries of the Africa Corps group helped him in his anti-terrorist struggle.
The country has been plunged into an even more critical security situation since the end of April 2026.
The extremists of the Islam and Muslim Support Group (JNIM), allied with Al-Qaida and the FLA rebellion, then launched a series of coordinated attacks against strategic positions of the junta and the army in various cities, including in the outskirts of Bamako, the capital.
The attacks cost the Defense Minister his life and lost control of the city of Kidal.