Overview
- Armed groups from the Tuareg-led FLA and al‑Qaida‑linked JNIM took the strategic Tessalit camp on Friday after Malian and Russia‑linked units withdrew without a fight, with Aguelhok also reported seized.
- JNIM, which calls itself the Support Group for Islam and Muslims, announced Thursday a road blockade around Bamako and urged a broad political, military and religious front to end military rule and impose Islamic law.
- The Sahel States Alliance of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso said Thursday night it launched airstrikes in northern Mali following the weekend’s coordinated attacks on government strongholds.
- The April 25–26 offensive reached Kati, where a suicide car bomb killed Defence Minister Sadio Camara, who was honored at a tightly secured state funeral in Bamako on Thursday.
- Russia said its forces will remain in Mali despite rebel demands to leave, as the junta faces mounting strain and reports arrests over alleged complicity in the attacks.