Russian forces from the so-called Africa Corps, alongside the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), are withdrawing from a third key base in northeastern Mali as pressure intensifies from Tuareg separatists and jihadist groups following a large-scale coordinated offensive.

After earlier pullbacks from Kidal on April 26 and the strategic town of Tessalit on May 1, troops have now begun leaving their base in Aguelhok, according to military and local sources, The Caspian Post reports, citing Le Monde.

The withdrawals follow sustained attacks launched on April 25 by the pro-independence Azawad Liberation Front (ALF) and the al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, in what has been described as one of the largest offensives in Mali in recent years.

A senior ALF official said approximately 100 Africa Corps personnel and 400 Malian troops had been stationed in Aguelhok before the offensive, with some forces still present as of May 4. However, sources indicated that at least 30 vehicles had departed the base to join a larger convoy regrouping south of Tessalit.

The withdrawal is reportedly taking place under a “comprehensive agreement” involving the ALF, JNIM, and the Africa Corps, allowing Russian forces to leave the area without being targeted. The arrangement is said to have been facilitated by Algeria, which has longstanding regional ties and has sought to prevent further escalation near its borders.

A Malian intermediary noted that the move also reflects Algeria’s opposition to foreign military presence near its territory, adding that it had previously raised objections to both French and Russian deployments.

Despite the northern withdrawals, an estimated 2,500 Russian personnel remain in Mali, with no clear indication of a wider pullout. According to French military sources, their focus is shifting toward consolidating positions in central and southern regions in support of the military-led government under interim president Assimi Goïta.

Mali has been under military rule since the 2021 coup, with Russian support becoming more prominent following the departure of French forces in 2022. Fighters from the Wagner Group had previously helped recapture Kidal in 2023 before being replaced by the Africa Corps after internal restructuring within the group.