Malian and Russian forces increase operations amid unrest

Growing unrest in northern and central Mali has led the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and its auxiliaries from the Russian Africa Corps to increase operations, according to RFI and agencies on May 18th.

Strikes were conducted near the Mopti region’s Diafarabé on May 15th against a “major refuge of armed terrorist groups”; this allowed food trucks to enter Diafarabé, which had been under jihadist blockade since 2025.

JNIM, which is behind the fuel blockade Mali has experienced since September 2025, was responsible for the blockade of Diafarabé.

Additionally, JNIM has enacted a renewed blockade on Bamako since April 28th, within days of coordinated attacks across northern Mali by JNIM and Tuareg separatists from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) on April 25th.

Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in the April 25th attacks; the FLA recaptured Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold that Malian authorities regained control of in 2023.

Furthermore, FAMA and its Russian auxiliaries conducted strikes to “neutralise” “terrorists” in Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal between May 15th and 17th.

These strikes were designed to counter the JNIM and FLA offensive, which seized control of Kidal and the Tessalit camps on May 1st.

Despite these successes, Malian and Russian forces have been accused of summarily executing civilians in Sarkala, located near the Ségou region’s Markala.

The Markala region was the location of military strikes against an alleged “terrorist training camp” on April 1st.

Dozo hunters reportedly accompanied FAMA as they entered Sarkala on May 14th; FAMA opened fire indiscriminately and set houses ablaze.

An estimated 31 people were killed in Sarkala; the victims were from the Fulani community, which is persecuted throughout the Sahel over alleged Islamist ties.

Russian and Malian forces face repeated allegations of human rights violations, including sexual violence and beheadings.

A CD-DPA annual report documented 553 deaths in northern and central Mali throughout 2025; FAMA and Russian mercenaries were implicated in 374 incidents.

Mali’s junta has increasingly relied on Russian support to maintain stability amid growing jihadist insurgencies and separatist attacks since seizing power in 2021.

In 2023, Russia blocked sanctions against Mali that were proposed by the UN Security Council following allegations of “grave human rights abuses” by FAMA and Russia’s Wagner Group.

The International Criminal Court was asked to investigate potential Russian war crimes in West Africa, particularly in Mali, in June 2025.

Maghrebi contacted the Malian Prime Minister’s Office for comment on increased military operations, but has not received a response at the time of publication.

RFI and agencies, Maghrebi.org