Tuareg Rebels Launch Offensive and Demand Russian Fighters Withdraw from Mali

Tuareg rebels in Mali have launched a coordinated offensive against the military junta and demanded the withdrawal of Russian fighters supporting the government.

The offensive involved an alliance of Tuareg separatists, Fulani and Arab rebels, and al-Qaeda-linked fighters who made gains in several northern and central cities, including Kidal and Sevare, and entered the capital, Bamako.

The rebels, represented by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), stated their objective is for Russia's Africa Corps to permanently withdraw from Mali.

The military government, led by President Assimi Goita, has been backed by Russian forces since the 2020 coup that brought the junta to power.

During the attacks, Mali's defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in an assault on his residence in Kati, a garrison town near Bamako.

The government reported that a suicide car bomb was responsible for his death.

His funeral is scheduled for Thursday.

This offensive marks a significant escalation in Mali's ongoing conflict, highlighting the rebels' determination to challenge the military government and its foreign backers.

The presence of Russian fighters has been a contentious issue, with the rebels accusing them of supporting a regime responsible for serious crimes and massacres.

Amid the fighting, Russian forces were observed withdrawing from Kidal after negotiating their exit through mediation by Algeria.

They were escorted to Anefis, southwest of Kidal, following requests for a secure corridor to leave the area.

The Tuareg rebels have emphasized that their conflict is with the Bamako regime rather than Russia or other countries.

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