Tuareg rebels in Mali are demanding the permanent withdrawal of Russian forces from the country, claiming the military government's reliance on foreign mercenaries will lead to its eventual collapse.
Speaking to AFP during a visit to Paris, Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), stated that the movement's objective is for Russia's Africa Corps to "withdraw permanently" from Mali.
This demand follows a surge in violence across the Sahelian nation, characterized by coordinated attacks from an alliance of Tuareg separatists, Fulani and Arab rebels, and al-Qaeda-linked fighters.
According to Al Jazeera, these recent offensives have seen insurgents make gains in several northern and central cities, including Kidal and Sevare, and even reached the capital, Bamako.
Escalating violence and targeted assassinations
The conflict reached a peak on Saturday when a coordinated offensive targeted multiple locations. The Malian government confirmed that its defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed during an assault on his residence in Kati, a garrison town near Bamako.
Official reports from the Malian government stated the minister died due to a "car bomb driven by a suicide bomber."
During the same wave of attacks, Russian fighters were reportedly seen retreating from the northern town of Kidal in trucks. Al Jazeera reported that the exit was facilitated through mediation by neighboring Algeria, with the rebels noting that the Russians requested a secure corridor to move to Anefis, southwest of Kidal.
Ramadane clarified that the FLA's grievance is not with Russia as a nation, but with the current administration in Bamako.
"We have no particular problem with Russia, nor with any's other country. Our problem is with the regime that governs Bamako," Ramadane told AFP.
He further alleged that the rebels view the Russian intervention negatively because the mercenaries have "supported people who committed serious crimes and massacres," referring to the government of President Assimi Goita.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence provided a different account of the situation in Kidal, asserting that the withdrawal was a decision made by the Malian government. The Ministry added that its units had fought for more than 24 hours and successfully repelled four massive attacks.
President Goita addressed the situation on Tuesday evening, declaring that military operations would continue until all "armed groups" are "neutralised."
While the rebels have made gains in the north, Reuters reported on Wednesday that Malian forces have regained control of the town of Menaka near the Niger border, following the retreat of ISIL-affiliated fighters from the Sahel Province (ISSP).
