Published On 4/28/2026
The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that its forces thwarted a coup attempt carried out by militants in Mali, according to what was reported by Russian official news agencies.
The ministry added that the Africa Corps forces in Mali used all types of weapons during the operation to repel militant attacks during the coup attempt last Saturday.
She explained that the militants’ losses during the operation that resulted in the killing of the Minister of Defense by detonating a car bomb exceeded 2,500 people and more than 100 vehicles.
The Russian Ministry stated that 4 major cities in Mali were attacked during the coup attempt, pointing out that the “enemy” is reorganizing its ranks and that the situation is still difficult.
The ministry stated that the Russian Africa Corps, which succeeded the Russian private military group Wagner, continues to perform its duties in Mali and is ready to repel any further attacks.
Russian government media reported earlier Tuesday that the Africa Corps suffered unspecified losses after it withdrew its forces from the town of Kidal following violent clashes that took place there over the weekend.
On Saturday, Tuareg rebels in Mali, allied with the Al-Qaeda-affiliated “Support for Islam and Muslims” group, took control of the strategic city of Kidal in the north of the country, after two days of battles with the army, in a development that casts a shadow over the future of the military junta.
Suspense prevails in Mali after the killing of the Minister of Defense, General Sadio Camara (47 years old), who is considered one of the most prominent officials of the Council, in an attack launched by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, while the leader of the Military Council, General Assimi Goeta, is still in hiding and has not issued any statement since the beginning of the battles.
Mali has been witnessing a security crisis for more than 10 years, but Saturday’s attacks are unprecedented since the military junta took power in 2020.
Prime Minister Abdullahi Maiga said – in a press conference broadcast by the public radio and television corporation – that “the enemy’s goal was to seize power by dismantling state institutions.” He added that lessons would be learned to improve security, calling on residents not to panic.
