Russian forces defeated in Saharan stronghold after wave of attacks
Co-ordinated assaults forced Mali’s Moscow-backed regime to abandon key city
Co-ordinated assaults forced Mali’s Moscow-backed regime to abandon key city

Military government battles to contain assaults launched by jihadist and secessionist militants

Losses to Malian militants by Wagner Group’s successor call into question future of Moscow’s military adventurism in Africa

Bamako targeted as rebels celebrate retreat of Russian paramilitaries from Kidal in the north

West needs a strategy to counter southern spread of instability into coastal states

Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists tighten blockade around Bamako as military regime reels

Paramilitary RSF took control after 19-month siege in which thousands died of starvation and massacres