Africa Corps Claims Repelled Coup Attempt Amid Widespread Attacks in Mali

April 25, 2026 - The Africa Corps of the Russian Armed Forces issued a statement claiming it had helped thwart a large-scale coordinated offensive in Mali involving multiple armed groups and simultaneous attacks across several cities. According to the statement, armed groups identified as the Azawad Liberation Front and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb launched a coordinated operation early in the morning, allegedly targeting key government and military installations, including the presidential palace in Bamako and administrative centers in cities such as Gao, Kidal, Kita, and Sévaré. The statement further claimed that foreign fighters and mercenaries were involved in the operations and that advanced weaponry was used during the attacks. These assertions have not been independently verified. The Africa Corps reported that it maintained control over strategic sites, including airfields and military installations, and played a central role in defending key government positions. It also stated that the attempted offensive was ultimately repelled, preventing what it described as an effort to destabilize the state. According to figures provided in the statement, the attackers reportedly suffered heavy losses across multiple locations, while acknowledging casualties among its own personnel and reporting ongoing medical evacuation efforts. The statement also described intense fighting along a wide operational front spanning several thousand kilometers, highlighting the scale and coordination of the attacks as presented by the group. No independent confirmation of casualty figures or battlefield outcomes has been made available, and Malian authorities have not issued a detailed response addressing the specific claims contained in the statement. The situation remains highly fluid, with multiple competing narratives emerging from different actors involved in the ongoing conflict.