Africa-Press. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that its forces thwarted an attempted coup carried out by militants in Mali, according to Russian official news agencies.
The ministry added that the forces of the African Legion in Mali used all kinds of weapons during the operation to repel the attacks of militants during the coup attempt, last Saturday.
She explained that the losses of the militants, during the operation that resulted in the death of the Minister of Defense by detonating a car bomb, exceed 2500 people and more than 100 vehicles.
The Russian ministry said that 4 major cities in Mali were attacked during the coup attempt, pointing out that the “enemy” is regrouping and that the situation is still difficult.
The ministry said the Russian Africa Corps, which succeeded Russia’s Wagner Group, was continuing to carry out its duties in Mali and was ready to repel any other attacks.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian state media reported that the Africa Corps suffered unspecified losses after withdrawing its forces from the town of Kidal after violent clashes over the weekend.
On Saturday, Tuareg rebels in Mali, allied with al Qaeda affiliate Nusra al-Islam and al-Muslimin, took control of the strategic northern city of Kidal, after two days of battles with the military in a development that casts a shadow over the military council’s future.
Anticipation prevails in Mali after the killing of Defense Minister General Sadio Camara, 47, one of the most senior officials of the Council, in an attack by the group Supporting Islam and Muslims, while the commander of the military council, General Assimi Guetta, remains hidden and has not issued any statement since the beginning of the battles.
Mali has been in the grip of a security crisis for more than 10 years, but Saturday’s attacks are unprecedented since the military council took office in 2020.
Announcement
Prime Minister Abdullahi Maiga said in a press conference broadcast by the Public Radio and Television Corporation that “the goal of the enemy was to seize power by dismantling state institutions.” Lessons would be drawn to improve security, he said, urging the population not to panic.
