Rebels Capture Key Tessalit Base in Northern Mali

Malian troops and their Russian allies withdrew from the Tessalit military base near the Algerian border on May 1. The retreat handed control of this strategic northern stronghold to Tuareg separatists and jihadist fighters without reported clashes. The Azawad Liberation Front said the site was abandoned before its fighters arrived. Tessalit’s airstrip and supply facilities had long made it vital for large-scale operations and troop deployments. The pullback followed coordinated attacks by the FLA and the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM on several government positions. Rebels also seized the town of Kidal and launched assaults near Bamako. At least 23 people died, including Defence Minister Sadio Camara, and UNICEF reports children have been killed or injured. Malian authorities have opened an investigation into possible involvement of current and former military personnel. Meanwhile, Bamako’s ties with Russia grow stronger as the country joins the Alliance of Sahel States with Burkina Faso and Niger.

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