Mali is facing a major new escalation, as Tuareg rebels and the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM launched coordinated attacks across several parts of the country, including Gao and Kidal. Reports say the offensive targeted military positions, transport hubs, and other strategic sites, posing a serious challenge to the ruling junta and its Russian-backed security network.
There are also claims that a Russian-linked Mi-35 helicopter was shot down near Gao, but this part has not been fully independently verified.
