Mali Army, Russian Allies Retreat From Tessalit Base Amid

Mali’s military forces and their Russian mercenary allies have withdrawn from a key northern stronghold, surrendering the Tessalit military base to armed rebel groups as violence intensifies across the country.
The development comes amid escalating attacks by Tuareg separatists and jihadist fighters, who have formed a coordinated front against the ruling military junta.
Security sources said the withdrawal followed a series of large-scale assaults last weekend by Tuareg-dominated fighters of the FLA and Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM, which left several military positions overrun, including the capture of the northern town of Kidal.
On Friday, fighters entered the strategic Tessalit “super-camp” near the Algerian border after Malian troops and Russian personnel reportedly abandoned the base without major confrontation, according to local officials and security sources.
A representative of the FLA confirmed the takeover, while a local official also said Russian forces had vacated their positions ahead of the advance.
Tessalit, which hosts a major airstrip and significant military equipment, has long been regarded as a critical northern military hub due to its location and surveillance advantage over the Sahara region.
Elsewhere, Malian forces were also reported to have withdrawn from another base in Aguelhok, about 100 kilometres south of Tessalit, as rebel pressure mounted.
The latest developments follow a week of intense clashes that have destabilised several parts of northern Mali, including near the capital Bamako, with reports of significant casualties, including senior military figures.
Humanitarian agencies have raised concerns over civilian impact, reporting deaths, injuries, and attacks on health and education facilities in affected regions.
The unrest comes amid Mali’s broader realignment in recent years away from France and closer ties with Russia, as part of a wider regional shift involving neighbouring military-led governments in Burkina Faso and Niger.
The three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which claims to maintain a joint military force to combat insurgency threats across the region.
Meanwhile, jihadist group JNIM has intensified its operations, including economic blockades targeting fuel supply routes from neighbouring countries, further straining Mali’s fragile security and economy.