In a stunning and symbolic setback, Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps—replacing Wagner Group since 2025 as allies of Mali’s military junta—suffered humiliating defeat in Kidal, northeastern Mali, on April 26. Footage circulating online shows the mercenaries retreating in disarray, forced to abandon trucks, armored vehicles, and helicopters after being overrun by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, and their Tuareg rebel allies from the Azara Liberation Front (ALF).

Mali has been hit by coordinated jihadist offensives since Saturday, targeting key positions across the country—including the capital Bamako, Kati (home to the military’s main base), and Gao, a former UN stronghold. At least six cities have come under attack, leaving Malian troops and their Russian allies struggling to respond.

Kidal’s fall: a strategic blow to Mali’s allies

On Monday, Africa Corps officials confirmed their withdrawal from Kidal, a move that reverses a major victory claimed by Wagner Group in November 2023, when they seized the city and raised their skull-and-bones banner. “The capture of Kidal was the only real strategic success Russia could claim since deploying in Mali in 2021,” said Djenabou Cissé, a researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research. “Its loss is a clear rebuke to their military partnership with Bamako.”

Djihadist surge tightens around Bamako

Since mid-2025, jihadist groups have inflicted repeated defeats on Malian forces and their Russian backers, tightening their grip on key areas. Analysts warn that the latest attacks—including a bombing that destroyed the home of Defense Minister Sadio Camara in Kati—signal a dangerous escalation. Reports indicate that civilians in Bamako witnessed GSIM fighters entering the city with little resistance, while Kidal’s governor’s office was stormed by militants.

Mercenaries fail as violence escalates

Despite Moscow’s support since 2021 first through Wagner and now Africa Corps, violence has worsened. Investigations by UN bodies and Human Rights Watch have documented a rise in sexual violence linked to Malian forces and their Russian allies. “It was always clear that Russian mercenaries were ineffective as counterterrorism partners,” noted Wassim Nasr, a jihadist expert, in an interview with Washington Post.

Africa Corps accused of betrayal

A Malian officer told RFI that local leaders had warned Africa Corps three days before Kidal’s fall, but no action was taken. “They had already negotiated their exit,” the officer claimed. Meanwhile, Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga paid tribute to Sadio Camara, killed in the offensive, while junta leader Assimi Goïta vowed to “neutralize all involved” in a televised address.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov declined to address whether Africa Corps could regain control, stating only that Russian forces had prevented a coup attempt by ALF and GSIM militants.