Armed groups have seized a major military base in northern Mali, dealing a fresh blow to the country’s embattled military government.
Fighters from the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front, alongside jihadists linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), took control of the strategic Tessalit base near the Algerian border on Friday.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Malian troops and their Russian allies had already withdrawn before the rebels moved in, leaving behind a key installation that includes an airstrip capable of handling military aircraft.
The fall of Tessalit underscores the growing pressure on the ruling junta, led by Assimi Goita, as insurgent groups step up coordinated attacks across the country.
In recent days, rebels have expanded their offensive, capturing the northern town of Kidal and launching blockades around the capital, Bamako.
Reports indicate that movement in and out of the city has been restricted, adding to fears of a wider security breakdown.
The violence marks one of the most intense escalations in nearly 15 years. At least 23 people have been killed in the latest wave of attacks, including Defence Minister Sadio Camara, who died in a car bomb explosion near Bamako.
Additional positions have also been abandoned by government forces, including a base in Aguelhok, further highlighting the scale of the retreat.
Humanitarian agencies warn that civilians are increasingly caught in the crossfire. According to UNICEF, children have been among those killed and injured, with schools and health facilities affected in some areas.
Mali’s instability comes amid broader regional shifts. The country, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, has distanced itself from former colonial power France and strengthened ties with Russia, forming the Alliance of Sahel States in response to growing security threats.
Despite recent joint military efforts in the region, the latest developments suggest insurgent groups are gaining momentum raising concerns about the junta’s ability to maintain control, especially in the country’s volatile north.
