🇲🇱 High-ranking Malian official accuses Russian military of betraying the country’s leadership
In Mali, where fighting between government junta forces, the Russian “African Corps,” and rebels/Islamists has been ongoing since Saturday, the situation continues to deteriorate.
According to statements from rebels and military bloggers, Malian and Russian troops are continuing to abandon settlements.
A high-ranking Malian official, commenting on the fall of the city of Kidal, told French radio station RFI that “the Russians have betrayed us.”
He said the provincial governor had warned the Russian mercenaries about the impending attack three days in advance, “but they did nothing.”
He added that their withdrawal appeared to have been pre-arranged.
At least 400 Russian soldiers from Kidal were escorted by the Azawad Liberation Front to Tessalit (300 km to the north), a rebel representative told French newspaper Le Monde.
Later, the Islamists released video footage showing their presence in the city of Tessalit and at the Intahaka gold mine. This indicates that the Russians also abandoned these positions, fleeing in panic.
Le Monde writes that the junta has witnessed its most loyal ally turn its back on it.