Analysts say Russia's Africa Corps defeat in Mali could be a turning point for Moscow's influence in West Africa as jihadist attacks continue.

Witnesses report clashes in the centre and north, in what has been described as the largest jihadist attack in years.

Russian forces are withdrawing from the city of Kidal, Mali after a weekend of attacks across the country by Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Mali was struck on Saturday by one of the biggest coordinated attacks on its army in the capital, Bamako, and several other cities and towns in an assault that also challenged Mali’s security partner,

Ethnic Tuareg fighters say they are in control of Kidal following a weekend of nationwide attacks, alongside Islamist groups

Coordinated attacks signified a major escalation of insurgent violence in a region of West Africa where military leaders had seized power and warmed to Moscow in recent years.

The attacks have exposed security vulnerabilities in the country, which once was a beacon of democracy in the region but has been reeling from political and security crises since 2012. Here’s a timeline of how the security situation has deteriorated in Mali: The former French colony became independent on September 22,

Residents in other cities in Mali reported gunfire and blasts on Saturday morning, suggesting a possible coordinated attack by armed groups.

The synchronized militant Islamist and separatist attacks across Mali reflect a steady deterioration in security that will require a broader coalition of domestic, regional, and international partners to reverse.

By David Lewis, Portia Crowe and Robbie Corey-Boulet DAKAR, April 27 (Reuters) - In simultaneous attacks launched on Saturday, an alliance of al Qaeda-linked militants and separatist rebels killed Mali's defence minister,

Coordinated attack by JNIM and the Tuareg minority inflicted significant casualties on government forces and Russian auxiliaries