Bamako, Mali – Russia has denied reports that rebel groups have seized military positions in Mali, asserting that no significant changes on the ground have been recorded in the past 24 hours, despite the continued fragility of the security situation in the country.
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The Russian Defense Ministry’s Africa Corps explained that the situation on the ground remains complex,
with armed groups attempting to reinforce their positions and receiving external support to compensate for recent losses.
The Corps added that military operations are ongoing in coordination with the Malian armed forces to contain the threats.
Military operations and aerial surveillance
An official statement revealed that an Inukhodets reconnaissance drone detected armed activity in a wooded area near the village of Koulibogou in the Koulikoro region.
The statement indicated that armed elements were attempting to establish a field position
before being targeted by a precision strike using guided munitions, which disrupted their movements.
The Russian denial comes after the Azawad National Liberation Front (MNLA)
announced its capture of a strategic camp in the northern town of Tessalit,
amid escalating clashes between government forces and an alliance of separatist and jihadist groups.
Moscow has reaffirmed its support for the ruling military junta in Mali in its fight against these groups,
which, according to reports, are seeking to expand their influence and potentially advance towards the capital, Bamako.
Coordinated investigations and attacks
In a related development, Malian authorities announced an investigation into several soldiers suspected of involvement in recent coordinated attacks on military bases, carried out by groups linked to al-Qaeda and Tuareg rebels.
Data indicates that the attacks, which occurred on April 25, demonstrated these groups’ ability to conduct simultaneous operations,
further complicating the security situation, especially given calls by groups like
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) to mobilize the population against the government and assert their influence.
Meanwhile, the head of Mali’s military junta, Assimi Goïta, asserted that the situation remains under control,
pledging to continue military operations to neutralize armed groups and restore stability to the country.
