France, April 30 -- Alongside jihadist forces, Tuareg rebels launched coordinated attacks across the country last weekend.

The offensive forced Russia's Africa Corps paramilitary unit to pull out of Kidal, a strategic northern town that Russian forces helped the Malian army recapture from Tuareg rebels in 2023, prompting speculation about a wider pull-out.

A Kremlin spokesperson denied Russian forces were planning to leave Mali. "Russia is present there in connection with the necessity declared by the authorities," Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

"Russia will continue, including in Mali, to fight against extremism, terrorism and other negative manifestations. And it will continue to provide assistance to the current authoriti...